If you’re a person online in 2018, you’re going to be mad. It’s what we do now. To be fair, there are plenty of things to be mad about. The whales are dying. The iPhones are too expensive. Russia’s definitely up to something. But there are also things that people seem to be getting mad about that, upon reflection, don’t seem all that infuriating. Case in point, Chris Pratt—America’s goofy big brother—took to Twitter to offer up some prayers for Kevin Smith, the infamous director of Mallrats and Dogma. Smith suffered a severe heart attack over the weekend and, while he’s recovering nicely, could probably use all the prayer he can get.
Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and I’m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer. Can you please pray with me people!? ?♥️ https://t.co/syB7BiQaoY
— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) February 26, 2018
So, that should be that, right? Well, if that’s what you think, you must be new here, because that is never that online. People took issue with Pratt’s belief on Twitter, with plenty of Twitter users jumping in to prayersplain how heart attacks work, and doctors, and prayer isn’t real and yada, yada.
This actually led to a longer, very thoughtful Twitter thread from Pratt’s pal James Gunn, the director of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Gunn explained that, sure, he understands why people might be a little skeptical of those who offer “thoughts and prayers.” The fact is that a lot of people use “thoughts and prayers” as an excuse for not really doing much of anything, as we’ve seen in recent years regarding mass shootings in America. But we also see it in our own lives, where we tend to use “I’m praying for you!” as basically a religious way of saying “Have a nice day!”
But just because some people are insincere in their offer of prayer doesn’t mean everyone is. As Gunn explains:
3 If you’re offering Parkland shooting survivors prayers, but are unwilling to deal with the problems of gun violence in this country in a practical way, those prayers are empty.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 26, 2018
5 But no one expects Chris Pratt to shoulder doctors out of the way and perform heart surgery on Kevin Smith. Nor does Kevin need Chris to pay his medical bills. So I think his prayers are appreciated, and about all he can do.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 26, 2018
7 I honestly would not be doing what I’m doing in either my career, or in speaking out on political matters, if I wasn’t led there through prayers and meditation. I feel lucky to have these tools.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 26, 2018
9 If I am ever sick I will gratefully accept any of your thoughts and prayers. And will not be as grateful for some random fan knocking down my doctor and performing his own brand of kick ass surgery on me. Love to you all. Have a great week.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 26, 2018
See? Twitter can be terrible, but it’s nice that there are guys like Pratt and Gunn out there who are grappling with these issues seriously. So pray as much as you can, but remember the words of James Gunn, who echoes the words of another older James: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”
