Dolly Parton’s sister has urged her fans to pray for the country music legend as she deals with health challenges that forced her to pull out of a series of upcoming concerts.

Last week 79-year-old Dolly announced on social media that she would have to postpone her planned performances at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in December because doctors had told her she must have “a few procedures”.

“As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see the plastic surgeon!” she told her 7.9 million Instagram followers.

The singer and 9 to 5 star then added: “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.”

Her younger sister, Freida Parton, shared an update on Tuesday (local time), saying she had been up all night praying for Dolly.

“Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” Freida said.

“I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.

“She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

Dolly Parton lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, in March this year. She said at the time he was “in God’s arms now and I am OK with that”, adding: “I will always love you”.

In her post announcing that the December performances of Dolly: Live in Las Vegas would be postponed until September 2026, the country star said she would still be able to work on all her projects from her home in Nashville.

“And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet,” she wrote.

“But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now…”

Entertainment Weekly reported that Parton had previously sparked concern by missing a scheduled appointment at the Dollywood theme park due to a kidney stone problem.

It was also announced she would not be attending in person to receive an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement at an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebration in Los Angeles in November, although her representative said at the time that this was not due to health concerns.

The singer is set to release a new hardcover book next month titled Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, which looks back on her more than 70-year career.