“I didn’t want to scare anyone.”

After asking for prayers for Dolly Parton, the singer’s sister now says she didn’t want to sound the alarm about the “9 to 5” star’s health.

Freida Parton, the 68-year-old sister of country music icon, wrote on Facebook Tuesday: “I want to clarify something. I didn’t want to scare anyone or make it seem like it was that serious by asking for prayers for Dolly.

“She was struggling a bit and I just asked for prayers because I deeply believe in the power of prayer,” Freida wrote. “It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for raising her. Your love truly makes a difference.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Freida asked her fans to pray for her sister. “Last night I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” Freida wrote. “I truly believe in the power of prayer and have been led to ask everyone who loves it to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”

Freida, one of Parton’s 11 siblings and a musician herself, added: “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being raised for her, I know in my heart she’ll be just fine. Good luck, sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

This isn’t the first time Parton’s health has made the news in recent weeks. On September 28, Parton, 79, wrote about Instagram that its series of concerts initially scheduled for December 2025 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas would be postponed to September 2026.

“As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health issues and my doctors are telling me I need to have a few procedures,” the “Jolene” singer said in her post.

Parton said she joked with her doctors about the need for her “100,000-mile exam,” noting that “it wasn’t the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon.” Because of the anonymous proceedings, she wrote, she would not be able to rehearse and put on the show fans deserved to see.

For those worried about Parton’s retirement, she said they don’t need to worry about her “leaving the company” because “God hasn’t said anything about quitting yet.” »

“But I believe He is telling me to slow down now so I can be ready for more great adventures with all of you,” she concluded in her message, which also appeared on his website. “I love you and thank you for your understanding.”

Earlier in September, Parton missed an event at her theme park, Dollywood, instead appearing to share virtually that she had developed an infection caused by a kidney stone and he was advised not to travel.

“I was waiting for it with so much impatience,” she said in the message. “But I’m here with you in spirit.”

Parton’s last Instagram post was shared on October 2. In it, the singer shovels a pile of hay. She captioned the photo: “Hey it’s October!”