Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington has revealed it was once prophesied that he would travel the world and preach to millions - and that's why he's "unashamed" to use his platform to share his faith.
"I speak now and I'm doing what God told me to do from the beginning," the 62-year-old said during a sit-down interview with The Gospel Herald and other reporters. "It was prophesied that I would travel the world and preach to millions of people. It was prophesied when I was 20. I thought it was through my work and it has been."
"My mother said to me when I was 59, she said, 'Denzel, you do a lot of good. You have to do good the right way and you know what I'm talking about,'" Washington continued. "I don't drink anymore, I don't do any of those things. I'm all about the message, to the degree that I know it, and I'm unashamed and unafraid to share it!"
Washington stars in the recently-released film "Roman J. Israel, Esq." The film, also starring actors Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo, follows an idealistic defense attorney (Washington) whose deeply-held beliefs are shaken when an unexpected series of events challenge his passion for helping the poor and disenfranchised. While the film isn't "faith-based," it contains a number of biblical themes, including sacrifice, honor, and faith in the unseen.
The actor, along with director/writer of "Roman J. Israel, Esq," Dan Gilroy, told GH they prayed and read the Bible every day before filming.
"God put us together," Washington said. "We prayed every day, we read the daily Word every day."
He added, "Dan and I have been prayer partners in this whole collaboration...We were on the same page from day one. We know Who we work for, and we're just trying to do our best work."
The award-winning actor also stressed the importance of tuning out the world and focusing on one's relationship with God. In the age of social media, Washington said it's easy to lose sight of one's convictions, as society is constantly bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information.
"I was reading about this today in my prayer and meditation - it is so difficult to trust that Jesus died for our sins because the mind never shuts off, especially in this world," he said. "We know, we know, we know, but we forget, moment by moment."
He urged young people to ask themselves: "What is the long, if not short-term effect of too much information?"
For more information on "Roman J. Israel, Esq." visit the movie's website.
