If there is one thing America desperately needs, then that is prayer, according to Reverend Franklin Graham. The evangelist hopes that people are already praying for a worthy person who would become the country's next president.

Before watching the first Republican debate, Graham was already praying that God would protect America ahead of the 2016 elections, and he expressed hope that millions of people would do the same thing.

"My prayer is that God will raise up a president and leaders in Congress who fear Him and see the need for this nation to turn back to Him. The headlines say the candidates are 'ready to rumble' — I hope instead that they are ready to show us they can lead this country!" he wrote on his Facebook page.

After the GOP debate, Graham was not disappointed since many of the presidential aspirants exhibited firm and dedicated Christian values. "I was encouraged to see several of the candidates express their faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. There's no question, 2016 could be the most important election in our country's history," he said.

Graham prayed that God would "raise up an individual to lead this nation." One leader he hopes the next president would emulate is King David from the Bible, whom he described as "a man after God's own heart." Graham has nothing but admiration for King David who, before being crowned as Israel's king, bravely confronted the giant Goliath and defeated him, thereby winning the respect not only of his people, but also of his enemies.

"Even though he had failures in his life, God used him greatly to lead the people. God's Word says, 'And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them,'" Graham said.