Republican presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson, who is closely trailing frontrunner Donald Trump in the White House race, said it is high time for people of faith to take action to restore America to its former glory.

"It is time to bring God back into our country," Carson said, according to WND. "Our faith gives us our freedom."

He made this statement during the recent Faith and Freedom Coalition Presidential Candidate Forum moderated by Jack Graham, which was attended by some 7,000 people.

Carson believes that people have the right to live the lives they want. "The people are supposed to have a say in how they live," Carson said as he highlighted the power of self-governance. The former neurosurgeon also discussed his book "A More Perfect Union," which brings into focus how America can get back in touch with its constitutional roots.

Carson said God blessed him with his current position of influence, adding that never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that he would be running for president. "He opened the doors," Carson said of God.

Trump and Carson to get Secret Service protection

Meanwhile, both Trump and Carson have become the "target" of unidentified assailants and therefore have to accept Secret Service protection.

"I don't feel the need for it, quite frankly, but the Secret Service thinks that I need it. So, you know, it is what it is," Carson said on Monday, according to NBC News. "I recognise that someone like me who is very truthful and who really doesn't subscribe to all the traditional power structures is probably gonna be a target."

The two will be receiving protection as early as this week. As for Carson, the heightened security was provided after he stated that he does not believe a Muslim should be president of America. Online threats against him reportedly went "off the charts" after he made that comment.