After Dolly Parton’s
Death

Welcome

Good morning!

Good morning!

I’m Jason Woodruff, here with Steph Juliot, and this is Praying the News. Our goal is to orient our hearts and minds towards God by praying for a major topic in the headlines.

Topic

Today, we’re praying about the death of Dolly Parton.

The “Queen of Country” music died yesterday at age 80. Parton was one of the best-selling female artists of all time and a celebrated philanthropist whose Imagination Library distributed more than 300 million books to children.

Scripture Passage

Today’s Scripture passage is Psalm 39:4–7:

“O LORD, make me know my endand what is the measure of my days;let me know how fleeting I am!Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,and my lifetime is as nothing before you.Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!Surely a man goes about as a shadow!Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?My hope is in you.”

Psalm 39:4–7 (ESV)

Devo

We picked this passage because the passing of a public figure confronts us with how brief and fragile human life is.

Believers in Christ face the reality of death radically different from the rest of the world. We can face it with sober awareness but without a trace of fear. God has removed death’s sting by raising Jesus from the grave, securing for believers an eternal hope that gives us confidence in life and death.

While you mourn with those who mourn, call to mind your hope in Christ and boldly offer it to others.

Silent Prayer

Steph, before we pray about Dolly’s death, let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.

[15 seconds]

Psalmic Prayer

Let’s pray.

Everlasting God,today we crash up againstthe brevity and fragility of human life.The creatures you have made area passing shadow,a withering grass,a vanishing mist.You have removed the sting of death,and yet death has stung us today.

Father of Mercies,shower the grieving with abundant comfortas they mourn the loss of Dolly Parton.Shield loved ones from the prodding of the media;penetrate their sorrow with the joy of good memoriesand the hope of Christ.God of All Comfort,be generous with your lightening goodnessin the face of this family’s heavy grief.

And deliver peace to those who loved Dollyfrom afar,finding joy in her workand treasuring her good contributionto this moment in history.Preserve and grow the fruit of her laborto feed many from generation to generation,and weed out the lasting effectsof any errors in judgment.

You, O Lord, measure the moments of your creaturesfrom the smallest to the greatest.Teach me to number my daysand keep their end ever before me,that I might learn to fear you and gain wisdomfor whatever lifespan you give.Make me as eager for my appointment with the Savioras a child packed and ready for vacationweeks ahead of schedule.Thank you that we can walk toward that coming daywithout fear,confident that death will sting no moreand the best of life is yet ahead.Grow this hope in me,that it might overflow in my grieving world.Amen.

Outro

Amen!

Thank you, Steph. And thank you all for joining us. Beyond our prayer over the death of Dolly Parton, we pray that this time of calm surrender and focus on God would reshape how you engage with the news today.

You can get all the biggest headlines, summarized and paired with Biblical reminders, from The Pour Over.