As Christians worldwide started the Lent season, Mark Wahlberg emphasized the importance of faith and the impact his devotion to God has had on his professional and personal life. While appearing on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” the actor shared his gratitude for his relationship with religion, saying it’s given him “a world of opportunity.”

Wahlberg explained, “[The faith] part of the discipline has really afforded me all the other wonderful things in my life, my family, my career, being able to turn my life around. I grew up from very humble beginnings, obviously had a troubled youth.” He continued, “Once I realized that God was calling me and really wanting to help me and turn my life around, and knew that I had potential. Once I started to become more disciplined, really, the world became full of opportunity. So, I just want to share that with people and their own. But just being the best versions of themselves.”

Co-host and fellow Catholic Rachel Campos-Duffy asked Wahlberg a thought-provoking question: “Was there a moment when God called you?” Wahlberg responded, “There have been many things, you know, I would have to say becoming a parent, becoming a husband, certainly. We talked about my youth and that sort of thing. But I think it’s getting older. And, here’s the great thing. Every year you get an opportunity for a reset. We’re all still weak in the flesh. We just want to be closer to God and more like God.”

Wahlberg urged Catholics to take a more “impactful” approach to their Lent season, saying, “Everybody knows what God wants to attach them from and replacing bad habits with good habits. So, it’s really between you and God what you decide to give up or what you decide to do more of. I think sometimes, people can give up candy, but it’s a lot more powerful and a lot more impactful to give your time to somebody else and just to give more and do more, even a kind word and a smile. You never know how far that will go with somebody who’s going through some really difficult.”

In his latest expedition to reinforce his relationship with God, the award-winning actor shares inspiring fasting lessons in a Catholic prayer app called “Hallow.” Wahlberg is a guest narrator on the platform and discussed his “Pray 40-Day Lent Challenge. The 51-year-old spoke candidly about how believers can challenge themselves on the holy day of prayer.

He commented, “It’s the largest Christian app in the world. It was number three on Apple’s free apps, ahead of Google, TikTok and all of these things, Spotify, and Netflix. I mean, people are thirsty for spiritual connection.”

Wahlberg concluded, “They’re thirsty and hungry for comfort, and guidance and also companionship with one another. So it’s been amazing. You can tell people are really hungry, and they need spirituality in their lives. You can’t really have spirituality without religion, even though it’s been separated. You know, we all know that it all goes hand-in-hand. We all need to encourage and support each other.”