A new book by late country legend Loretta Lynn will be published later this month. Lynn penned A Song and a Prayer: 30 Devotions Inspired by My Favorite Songs alongside artist and ordained minister Dr. Kim McLean just before her death last year. The book is a collection of prayers combined with song lyrics inspired by Lynn’s writing sessions with McLean. It will be issued by Worthy Books on May 23.
“My writing sessions with Loretta were inspired by our friendship and faith,” McLean said in a press release. She continued: “She always told me we need to ‘write it the way we say it,’ and these are the things she felt were important to say. It is a capstone project, and a culmination of her wholehearted, unapologetic love of God, of people, and of life. We were similar in many ways and connected on a soul level, but her fans know that’s the only way Loretta ever connected
—heart to heart. We laughed all the time when we wrote, sometimes argued, then laughed again. This book came about so naturally. Loretta said this project was special to her, and I’m honored to be her collaborator and friend. She was such an inspiration.”
Lynn’s daughter Patsy Lynn Russell added: “Originally slated to come out in December, mom worked all summer to complete this book. It was so important to her because she had never devoted an entire book to her faith. Mom was always open about her faith but it was a deeply personal matter to her, one in which we knew at the core was the most important thing in her life. Her passing has made this project all the more special to us and we know her fans will feel the same way.”
Loretta Lynn died at age 90 in October of 2022. Following the news of her death, countless artists paid tribute to the iconic singer and songwriter, including prior collaborator Jack White, as well as Sissy Spacek, Dolly Parton, Margo Price, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Wynonna Judd, Carole King, and many more.
Read “Remembering Loretta Lynn, Who Helped Make Country a Place Where Women Can Speak Their Minds.”
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