497 Can Secular Music Point Us to God? Our Tribute to Dolly Parton

August 31, 2026

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496 Hearing God Without Putting Words in His Mouth

August 27, 2026

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Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to worship God using a secular song, or if only Christian music can be used for prayer?

This week, Alana and Jaime pay a heartfelt tribute to the late, great Dolly Parton, diving into a thought-provoking conversation on how to find the Holy Spirit in unexpected places—and how everyday music can become a powerful template for worship.

In this episode, Alana and Jaime tackle the artificial divide between "sacred" and "secular" media that many Christians grew up with. They unpack the idea that if a song isn't promoting sin, it has the potential to draw us closer to the Lord, because we are called to do everything for His glory. They explain why taking pleasure in the beautiful, ordinary aspects of the human experience honors God's design for creativity, and why songs about family, unity, and love are deeply biblical.

Jaime reflects on the spiritual themes in Dolly's "Coat of Many Colors" and shares a touching story about a crocheted prayer shawl given to her stepmom, highlighting how we can infuse our everyday actions with love and prayer. Alana then walks step-by-step through her personal method of using a physical Bible concordance to turn the lyrics of Dolly's "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" into an interactive, spiritually enriching journey through Scripture.

You’ll walk away with a fresh appreciation for Dolly's beautiful legacy, a reminder of the incredible freedom we have to find God in all things, and practical wisdom on how to make everything—even a catchy tune—a springboard for prayer.

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Meet Your Hosts

Alana Terry is a USA Today bestselling suspense novelist from rural Alaska, known throughout the Christian fiction world for her intense storylines and realistic characters. She is also the founder of Praying Christian Women Ministries, and co-host of the Praying Christian Women Podcast. She can often be found pacing around outside, brainstorming new ideas or dreaming up her next plot twist.

Jaime Hampton is a Christian author, and co-host of the Praying Christian Women Podcast. She enjoys camping with her family, roasting (and drinking!) coffee, and the crazy life that comes with being a hockey mom.