Mark Wahlberg: ‘It’s Not Popular In My Industry, But I Cannot Deny My Faith’
By Movieguide® Contributor
In honor of Ash Wednesday, Mark Wahlberg shared his thoughts on faith and the discipline it brings to his life.
“[Faith] it’s everything, it’s afforded me so many things,” the actor said during a recent appearance on the TODAY show. “God didn’t come to save the saints, He came to save the sinners…We want to be better versions of ourselves, and through focusing my faith, it’s allowed me to do that.”
He continued, “You know, it’s not popular in my industry, but, I cannot deny my faith. It’s important for me to share that with people. I have friends from all walks of life and all different types of faiths and religions, so you know, it’s important to respect and honor them as well.”
Wahlberg also spoke about Lent and the importance of discipline when it comes to faith.
“God knows the things that he wants you to detach from,” he explained. “We all know those things that make us feel guilty, don’t make us feel as good as we should. So being able to detach from those things and focus on good habits as opposed to bad habits…just challenging people to be better versions of themselves.”
The actor went on, “Discipline has always been important for me in life. Once I started getting into movies and transitioned from music, I realized I needed a lot of discipline in my life. And that discipline has afforded me so many other things.”
“I want to share that with people,” Wahlberg said. “So whether that’s with fasting [or] detaching from other things and just spending more time with God in prayer or in thoughtful reflection and those things are important.”
Wahlberg is very vocal about his faith and frequently talks about the impact Christianity has had on his life. Movieguide® previously reported:
Actor Mark Wahlberg says a prayer of gratitude every morning because he knows “faith is the most important thing” in life.
“Faith is the most important thing. That’s how I start my day every day,” said the INSTANT FAMILY star in an interview with Caron Butler for Tuff Juice podcast. “By the time I open my eyes, before I turn the light on or do anything, I am kind of saying my prayers. I go in my prayer room and take that 15 or 20 minutes to express how grateful I am,” Wahlberg continued.
Over a year ago, Wahlberg made headlines for his extremely regimented schedule, which showed his commitment to prayer.
Wahlberg has starred in major Hollywood movies like TRANSFORMERS and LONE SURVIVOR, but posits that he knows God provided him a platform for a reason.
“I know that God didn’t bless me with all this to say, ‘forget about where you came from and just go off and do you and have a great life,’” Wahlberg said. “There is now an opportunity and responsibility to give back and inspire other people to say no matter where you come from or what obstacles you may face, if you actually go and do the right thing…good things will happen for you.”
Wahlberg is a husband and father, not to mention entrepreneur, producer and founder of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, which gives back to children through sports.
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