Author Mattie Jackson, Daughter of Country Legend Alan Jackson, Reflects on the Power of Her Mother Denise’s Prayers
NASHVILLE, TN — In a moving testament to the strength of a mother’s love and faith, Mattie Jackson Selecman—author, podcaster, and daughter of country music icon Alan Jackson—has opened up about how the prayers of her mother, Denise Jackson, have carried her through some of life’s hardest seasons.
Mattie, known for her bestselling memoir “Lemons on Friday” and her candid reflections on loss, healing, and faith, credits her mother’s spiritual guidance as a cornerstone of her journey. After the tragic loss of her first husband, Assistant District Attorney Ben Selecman, in 2018, Mattie leaned deeply on her parents—and especially on the quiet, unwavering strength of her mother.
“My mom has always been the prayer warrior of our family,” Mattie shared in a recent interview. “There were so many nights I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe—and she would just be there, praying over me, believing for things I couldn’t even begin to hope for at the time.”
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Denise Jackson, who has often stayed out of the spotlight despite her husband’s legendary status, is no stranger to the power of faith herself. Her 2007 memoir “It’s All About Him” was a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and chronicled her own spiritual awakening and the restoration of her marriage.
Mattie says her mother’s example taught her what it means to persevere through pain with grace—and to trust in something bigger than the present heartbreak.
“She never tried to fix me or rush me through my grief,” Mattie says. “She just stayed close, prayed constantly, and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Her faith became my anchor.”
Now remarried and a new mom herself, Mattie continues to share her story through writing, public speaking, and her She’s in the City podcast, often pointing back to her mother’s influence as a steadying force in her life.
“One of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child is a belief that prayer changes things,” Mattie adds. “I saw that in my mom, and I carry it forward into my own motherhood now.”
As the Jackson family continues to share their lives with honesty and heart, the impact of Denise’s quiet prayers is proving to echo across generations.