Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt took to Instagram stories to explain his participation in the 21-Day Daniel Fast – a commitment to prayer and fasting based on Daniel 1:8-14. The Daniel Fast is a common way for some believers and even whole church congregations to start the year off healthy – both physically and spiritually.

Nearly every big media outlet has reported on Chris’ announcement. Entertainment Tonight took their own angle since one of their reporters actually attends the same church as Chris Pratt. She explained that the Daniel Fast is “50% physical and 50% spiritual.”

Hollywood is always going to raise an eyebrow when a celebrity tries something a little off-the-wall, especially in regards to faith, so what makes this story important?

Understand God’s Attitude Toward Our Physical Bodies.

It’s no secret that our culture puts an unhealthy emphasis on physical appearance. New diets, programs, or exercise plans often make the headlines. Culture is overly focus on how our body looks and performs. Modern commentaries on health often ignore the fact that our physical bodies are not only tied to our spirituality, but also that our physical bodies are holy.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”

(Psalm 139:13-14)

God created your body to be honored and to serve a purpose. Your body is a beautifully crafted vehicle that allows you live out God’s purpose for you and experience great joy. Therefore, we should take care of our bodies, be proud of them, and understand that we can’t separate our physical health from our emotional and spiritual health.

Invite God Into Your Health Journey.

Trying to work out more or eat a certain way is a recipe for discouragement for many of us. We try and fail. Or we try and do well, but still don’t think our bodies measure up to our hopes. Sometimes our physical bodies come with a set of limitations that aren’t considered “normal” to the society around us.

God wants to enter into all of these things. Your journey with physical health and attitude toward your body will be wildly enhanced if you get honest with the one who Created your body in the first place. Prayer and honesty with God doesn’t mean you’ll magically have a flat stomach or be able to run a 5K, but it does mean your perspective will change and you’ll begin to realize you’re not alone.

God offers us rest, wisdom, and support in all areas of life through the power of His Holy Spirit. That includes your physical health and goals! You don’t have to do this alone.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

So, is the news about Chris Pratt’s Daniel Fast life-changing? No, not really. Chris Pratt probably didn’t mean it as something incredibly deep. It’s just his own personal decision as he resets his own heart and mind in the new year.

All that to say, I’m glad Chris’s fast is subtly putting attention on the idea that our spiritual life and our physical health can (and should) go hand-in-hand.

Read more about finding a healthy relationship with food both practically and spiritually!

How to Find Freedom in Your Relationship with Food

Photo Credit: IMDB