Twitter was quick to pounce on Chris Pratt for sending "prayers" to the comedian and director.
The Guardians of the Galaxy and Parks and Recreation star said he was "praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer." He added a second tweet saying: "Praying for you. I will continue to. You inspired me with Clerks when I was a senior HS."
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
Praying for you. I will continue to. You inspired me with Clerks when I was a senior HS. I'm tagging my Lb/rb football coach who showed me the movie cause he believed in me and knew I'd be inspired. @hodge1916 🙏♥️🙏 https://t.co/syB7BiQaoY
— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) February 26, 2018
Many drew parallels between Pratt's response and the familiar political response of sending "thoughts and prayers" to victims of tragic events like the recent Parkland school shooting, and shot down the tangible effects of prayer.
That's cool and everything but Doctors and nurses save lives not prayer.
— Retro Bigfoot (@RetroBigfoot) February 26, 2018
no. a doctor saved him. not a spaggetti monster
— Gary P (@Garypercival8) February 26, 2018
That said, plenty of other Twitter users chimed in with various prayers of their own (or at least some praying hands emojis).
— Adam (@baepride) February 26, 2018
Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn also stepped in to defend Pratt, arguing that "there is nothing wrong with sending someone positive thoughts & prayers," but "when this is coupled with inaction when action will benefit the situation, it's empty."
Gunn added, "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."
See his full string of tweets below.
So I just read Chris Pratt's tweet to Kevin Smith saying he would pray for him & made the mistake of reading the comments, many of which go off on Chris for saying he'd pray. I think people misunderstand the backlash against "thoughts & prayers." (thread)
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 26, 2018
2 There is nothing wrong with sending someone positive thoughts & prayers. But when this is coupled with inaction when action will benefit the situation, it's empty.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 26, 2018
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
4 And if you're going to offer prayers to the folks suffering in Puerto Rico, you might consider adding a link for a donation or calling on your representatives to take action, in addition to those prayers. Prayers alone will not change the world.
— 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
6 I'm not tweeting this to defend Chris - he's a big boy and can take care of himself. But for me, personally, prayer and meditation are great boons to my life and help me navigate my way through this world, and I don't want to dissuade others who find those things useful.
— 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
8 I don't think that means YOU need to pray. I don't. There are many ways to navigate this life. Mine is only one of them. Prayer isn't for everyone but, in the face of helplessness, it's often meant as a acknowledgement that one cares (and we all care about @ThatKevinSmith).
— 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
Regardless of the science behind recovery, we're pretty sure Smith fans are all hoping the dude gets well soon.
