Franklin Graham: I have no hope in the Republican Party... The only hope for this country is God

Franklin GrahamReuters

The only hope for this America is God, evangelist Franklin Graham told top broadcaster Fox News. "We have taken God out of the political debate. We have taken Him out of the public space. And I want to put Him back in."

Speaking on Fox and Friends, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse addressed the Donald Trump phenomenon. "Millions of people are fed up with Washington and the status quo." He added: "They want honesty but they also want strong leadership."

Graham is currently on his Decision America tour of the US aimed at putting God's voice back in politics.

He invites the public to hold hands and join him in prayer in every state capital.

He explained why he had controversially resigned from the Republican Party.

He said: "I'm fed up. I don't think I can go to all 50 state capitals and stand and ask for people to pray and be affiliated with one of the parties. I don't want people to think, he's doing this for the Republicans or he's doing it for this group or that group. I'm not. I'm doing this for God."

He continued: "I have no hope in the Republican Party. I have no hope in the Democratic Party or any political party. The only hope for this country is God. And we have taken God out of the political debate. We've taken Him out of the public space. And I want to put Him back in."

He quote the Bible: "This is what Nehemiah did in chapter one of Nehemiah and God gave him favour, and we need God's favour."

He will not endorse a particular candidate but simply wants people to engage.

"I want Christians to not only vote in the national elections, I want them to vote in the state elections and local elections. How important it is to get Christian mayors, to get Christian city council people, to get Christians on the school boards. I want Christians to run for office, and I want them to vote."