Dolly Parton’s sister asks for prayers as the country music icon deals with health challenges

A week ago, Dolly Parton announced a postponement of her upcoming Las Vegas residency due to health challenges and now her sister is asking for prayers for the country music icon.

Freida Parton posted on Facebook Tuesday afternoon saying that she was up all night praying for her sister.

“Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me,” she wrote.

She ended the post saying, “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

This post from Frieda follows an announcement that the country music legend made on Sept. 28, saying she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency dates to next year.

The six shows originally scheduled for this December at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace were rescheduled for September 2026, as previously reported by the Deseret News.

“While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

She also added that she has no plans to retire: “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”

Dolly Parton’s faith

The 79-year-old country music icon is Christian and has never been one to hide her faith and how it has guided her in life. Throughout her career, Parton collaborated with other Christian artists and wrote a variety of religious songs such as “Lord Hold My Hand,” “I Believe” and “Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away.”

Following her husband’s death in March, Parton shared that it was her faith that kept her rooted and helped her move forward.

“I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday. And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we used to do and all the things that we’ve built together,” said Parton, according to The Associated Press. “You just kind of have to learn to kind of make new plans — but that’s the hardest part.”

She had been with her husband Carl Dean for six decades, and he was a proud and loyal supporter of hers throughout her career.

“I really feel his presence,” Parton said, per The Associated Press. “I just try to go on, because I know I have to. And he was ill for quite a while, and part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore. But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it.”