Just ahead of the final GOP debate of 2015, Rev. Franklin Graham is urging all American Christians to not only pray for the future U.S. president but to vote in what may be the "most important election in our nation's history."
On Tuesday night, nine candidates will appear for the final Republican presidential primary debate of 2015, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The debate will air on CNN at 8:30 p.m. ET, and will be moderated by Wolf Blitzer, with CNN's Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash joining Salem Radio Network talk show host Hugh Hewitt as questioners.
On Monday, Rev. Graham shared his thoughts on Facebook about the upcoming event, which is expected to help shape the contest heading into the Iowa caucuses.
"Tomorrow night in Nevada the Republican presidential candidates will be having their last debate of 2015," he wrote. "I don't know what questions can be asked that haven't been asked already, but I plan to be watching and I plan to be praying."
Participants in the primary debate include businessman Donald Trump; retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz; Florida Sen. Marco Rubio; former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; businesswoman Carly Fiorina; New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
Four candidates -- former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and former New York Gov. George Pataki -- will appear in the first debate on Tuesday evening.
In continuing his Facebook comments, Graham, 64, clarified that while he is not endorsing any specific candidate, he is "endorsing prayer-and I'm strongly urging Christians to get out and vote."
"We need to elect candidates at all levels that most closely support biblical values and principles," he charged. "This may be the most important election in our nation's history. America is headed in the wrong direction and only God can turn it around."
As the presidential election draws closer, the evangelist plans to travel to all 50 states in 2016, from capital to capital, for the "Decision American Tour 2016" beginning in Des Moines, Iowa on January 5. During this time, Graham will "be urging Christians to vote, to live out their faith in every part of their lives, and to pray for our nation just as Nehemiah cried out to God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore hope to His people," according to the event website.
The entire list of "Decision America Tour 2016" locations can be found here.
"I hope you will stand in prayer with me for America. The Bible says, 'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord' (Psalm 33:12)," Graham concludes.
According to Politico, Tuesday's debate will stream for free at www.cnn.com, and no cable subscription is necessary to stream. CNN also will allow access to the debate on mobile devices. Radio listeners can tune into any Salem Network broadcast across the country.
