MONTREAT, N.C. — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited the Rev. Billy Graham Thursday at Graham's home in North Carolina before a rally in Asheville.

“It was an honor to meet and host Gov. Romney in my home today, especially since I knew his late father former Michigan Gov. George Romney, whom I considered a friend," Graham said.

The Republican nominee has faced some difficulty making inroads with evangelical voters, in part because some believe his Mormon faith means he is not a Christian.

Romney also once supported abortion rights, and raised questions again this week when he told a newspaper he would not pursue abortion-related legislation as president. He later said he would be, quote, "a pro-life president."

"What impresses me even more than Gov. Romney's successful career are his values and strong moral convictions," Graham said.

"I appreciate his faithful commitment to his impressive family, particularly his wife Ann of 43 years and his five married sons."

The three men prayed together, according to a Graham spokesman, and Romney told the Grahams that, quote, "prayer is the most helpful thing you can do for me."