In an interview with CNN's Carol Costello this week, Franklin Graham, son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham and the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, asserted that evangelical Christians are angry with the current political system. "There is a lot of anger in this country, but I am angry too. I am angry at the Republicans and I am angry at the Democrats. They have messed up this nation and we're in trouble. I believe the only hope is God," Graham said.
He said he wants Christians to pray because "then God may just give us favor, we may hear from heaven and He may just help turn this country around, because I don't think the political process can do it."
Graham, who also is CEO of The Samaritan's Purse organization, said politicians are voted to go to Washington and then they "end up doing absolutely nothing, just like the Republicans right before Christmas. They voted on the spending bill and they didn't even try to get anything. They just voted for it and went home. That is the kind of thing that I think the American voter is sick and tired of."
Graham argued politicians can't assume they have the support of evangelical Christians.
"The Republicans especially are going to have to understand they cannot take the evangelical vote for granted," Graham said. "The evangelicals would like to find a Christian or someone that understands their values and supports their values but more importantly, I think they are looking for a strong leader. I am not going to endorse any of them. I am not going to get behind any of them."
Costello asked Graham what he prays for when he prays to God. His answer: "To give us leaders."
To reinsert God back into the American political debate, Graham is calling on evangelical Christians to also run for political offices.
Graham has been touring all 50 state capitals where he holds prayer rallies at the steps of each capitol building to ask Christians to pray for the forgiveness of America's sins and for them to get involved in America's political system.
"I pray that God will give us leaders, not just in Washington. We need Christian men and women in politics. We need mayors, city council. We need Christians on school boards," Graham explained. "We need Christians at every level and I am encouraging people to run for public office. Run at the local level, the state level. Washington is broken. I think there is a lot we can do at the state level."
Costello asked Graham why he thinks so many evangelicals are willing to put aside Trump's sins and religious shortcomings to embrace his campaign.
"People are fed up, and Donald Trump, to his credit, he is shaking up the Republican Party. The Republican Party needs to be shaken up and he is certainly doing that," Graham responded.
Costello also asked Graham to reveal which presidential candidate will get his support. "I am not going to tell [Christians] who to vote for, but I want them to go to the polls and vote. Last time, I think it was 20 to 30 million evangelical Christians stayed at home. They didn't vote. That is a shame."
Graham said he thought voting is their [Christians] responsibility and duty to be involved in the political process.
