As America celebrated its 246th birthday on Monday, legendary actor and former professional wrestler Mr. T issued a heartfelt message on social media calling for prayer for unity across the nation.
According to CBN News, Mr. T, whose real name is Lawrence Tureaud, tweeted several messages on Independence Day.
"Happy Birthday America and Happy Independence Day! The Land of the Free and home of the Brave. The Red, the White, and the Blue. In God we Trust!" he wrote.
"My home sweet home, The Land that I Love! I am so very Grateful to be a citizen of the United States of America, Thank God!" he said in a subsequent tweet.
My home sweet home, The Land that I Love! I am so very Grateful to be a citizen of the United States of America, Thank God!
— Mr. T (@MrT) July 5, 2022
He also emphasized the need for prayers for unity amongst Americans.
"We the people; together we stand, divided we fall! Black and white together, we shall overcome someday! The Nation that prays together, stays together!"
We the people; together we stand, divided we fall! Black and white together, we shall overcome some day! The Nation that prays together, stays together!
— Mr. T (@MrT) July 5, 2022
Mr. T is also an outspoken Christian who often shares Bible verses and encouraging messages in his posts. In one recent post, the actor highlighted the importance of unity, especially with one's enemies.
"To live in Peace with Friends is easy, but what about your enemies? Can we be honest with each other? That's hard to do and may be impossible?" he tweeted on June 26.
He added, "To live in peace, you have to put aside hatred, bitterness, fear, and forgiveness! Jesus said, 'With man this is impossible, with God all things are possible, but with God all things are possible.' Matthew 19:26"
To live in peace, you have to put aside hatred, bitterness, fear, and forgiveness! Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, with God all things are possible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
— Mr. T (@MrT) June 27, 2022
"Peace on earth is not an Unreachable dream; with Christ, it is an achievable goal with the help of the Holy Spirit!"
Peace on earth is not an Unreachable dream; with Christ, it is an achievable goal with the help of the Holy Spirit!
— Mr. T (@MrT) June 27, 2022
Mr. T's messages on unity come at a time of growing division in the U.S., especially following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last month. The ruling now allows the states to handle the issue of abortion. Some states have already placed restrictions or bans on abortion.
Unlike Mr. T, several other celebrities, including pop singer Katy Perry and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, took to social media on Monday to lament Independence Day.
"'Baby you're a firework' is a 10, but women in the U.S. have fewer rights than an actual sparkler smh," Perry, who grew up in a Christian household, tweeted, referencing her song "Firework."
“Baby you’re a firework” is a 10 but women in the US have fewer rights than an actual sparkler smh
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 4, 2022
Meanwhile, Lakshmi argued that there was "not much" to celebrate on Independence Day this year.
"Not much to celebrate this 4th, I'm afraid. Let's just hope everyone can keep safe and peaceful today and that soon our nation veers away from this precipice," she tweeted. "No matter what, we'll keep fighting for the day where all humans have the same rights, at least of their own person and body, have privacy to make their own choices and to love whom they love and live in peace."
No matter what, we’ll keep fighting for the day where all humans have the same rights, at least of their own person and body, have privacy to make their own choices and to love whom they love and live in peace.
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) July 4, 2022
Lakshmi's post also included a picture with the hashtag #notahappy4th and a picture of a cake with the message "Separate Church & State."
🇺🇸 #notahappy4th pic.twitter.com/4P4nN8w9GU
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) July 4, 2022
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Brad Barket/Stringer
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
