Loretta Lynn book A Song and a Prayer announced

A new book penned by late country legend Loretta Lynn is set to be published later this month, titled A Song and a Prayer:30 Devotions Inspired by My Favorite Songs.

The Kentucky trailblazer wrote the project alongside artist and ordained minister Dr. Kim McLean just prior to her death last year at the age of 90. The book is a collection of prayers combined with song lyrics inspired by Lynn’s writing sessions with McLean.

“My writing sessions with Loretta were inspired by our friendship and faith,” McLean said in a press release. “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," the musician continues. "This book came about so naturally. Loretta said this project was special to her, and I’m honoured to be her collaborator and friend. She was such an inspiration.”

Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

Lynn’s daughter Patsy Lynn Russell noted: “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 in October 2022 in Tennessee. After news of her death was made public, countless artists paid tribute to the iconic singer and songwriter, including past collaborator Jack White, as well as Sissy Spacek, Dolly Parton, Margo Price, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Wynonna Judd, Carole King, CMAT and many more.

In a career spanning six decades, Lynn released multiple gold albums. Her hits include 'I'm a Honky Tonk Girl', 'Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)', 'One's on the Way', 'Fist City', and 'Coal Miner's Daughter'. The 1980 musical film Coal Miner's Daughter was based on her life.

Lynn was honoured by the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music as a duet partner and an individual artist. She was nominated 18 times for a Grammy Award, taking home three. As of 2022, Lynn was the most awarded female country recording artist and the only female ACM Artist of the Decade (1970s). Loretta Lynn, across her career, scored 24 No. 1 hit singles and 11 number-one albums. She ended an incredible 57 years of touring on the road after she suffered a stroke in 2017 and broke her hip in 2018.

A Song and a Prayer: 30 Devotions Inspired by My Favorite Songs will be issued by Worthy Books on May 23.