Critically acclaimed actor extraordinaire Denzel Washington (pictured center, left) is at the top of his craft, but he also understands where his blessings come from: the Man above. Washington recently addressed a group of young actors with an inspiring speech on the importance of prayer, according to The Gospel Herald.
SEE ALSO: Chicago’s Chance The Rapper Helps Stop Gun Violence In City For 42 Hours
Washington, who has been acting for eons now, has graced the small and large screen and the Broadway stage, tried to impart to the aspiring performers how they should use their talent for good and to never forget to pray, “I pray that you all put your shoes way under the bed at night so that you gotta get on your knees in the morning to find them. And while you’re down there, thank God for grace and mercy and understanding. We all fall short of the glory. We all got plenty,” the Academy Award winner told his student audience in a video posted on Facebook by fellow actor Tyrese Gibson.
Now starring in the Broadway show, “A Raisin In The Sun,” Washington told his audience that before every single show, he and his cast members gather together in prayer that is led by the show’s youngest cast member, Bryce Clyde Jenkins, who portrays “Travis Younger.” “We have a little boy in our show, we’re doing ‘Raisin in the Sun,’ and we have a circle. We pray every day,” said Washington. “And his prayer, this boy is prayed up, he just prays that we go out and touch someone tonight. He says, ‘God, somebody out there needs us tonight.’”
Watch Washington give advice to the students about prayer here:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESa45s7R4R8%5D
As far as the lures of his craft, Washington warned the up-and-coming thespians about the trappings of money. He explained while having money is advantageous, it is a “gift” that should not be abused. “And we all have that unique gift to go out and touch people to affect people. Understand that gift, protect that gift, appreciate that gift, utilize that gift, don’t abuse that gift,” Washington warned.
Washington, who is known for his strong Christian values despite working in an industry that is known for its decadence, also alerted students to the fact that they have a responsibility to do the right thing when they do “make it” and to share their wealth in ways that could help others. “You’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse…now I’ve been blessed to make hundreds of millions of dollars in my life. I can’t take it with me and neither can you. It’s not how much you have but what you do with what you have,” he advised.
SEE ALSO: 15 Powerful Maya Angelou Quotes
Denzel Washington: ‘Put Your Shoes Under The Bed At Night So You Gotta Get On Your Knees in Morning’ was originally published on newsone.com
