To make sure that his prayer campaign called Decision America Tour next year would not be marred by his political affiliation, conservative Christian leader Reverend Franklin Graham has decided to quit the Republican Party.
During an interview on Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren," Graham said his decision to quit the GOP is also tied with the recent passage of a $1.1-trillion budget deal that continues to support funding for abortion service provider Planned Parenthood.
"I am so disappointed in just the leadership of both parties. Our nation is in trouble, and it's in a mess," Graham said. "I felt it was best for me and not to be aligned with either party but to be an independent."
Because of the "mess" America is in, Graham believes it is more important than ever for Christians to pray for the outcome of the November 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Graham will be starting his Decision America Tour on Jan. 5 in Des Moines, Iowa, where the first caucuses of both parties will be held.
Graham said he did not want people associating his prayer movement only to the Republican Party, since he wants people from all walks of life to get together in prayer for America.
The evangelist noted that a lot of Republicans might be upset over his departure, but he simply explained that it was a personal decision and he is not encouraging other Republicans to follow suit.
"I'm not here to hurt the Republican Party (or) the Democrats," he said. "I want to stand on capitol steps, and I want to lead this nation state by state, praying for our politicians, and praying for our country that God would give us politicians who will stand for biblical values and vote for biblical values."
