Ashland Craft and Chase Rice Team Up for Emotional Reworking of ‘Momma Don’t Pray Like She Used To’

Ashland Craft has released a new duet version of her heartfelt track “Momma Don’t Pray Like She Used To” with Chase Rice. Originally featured on her 2025 Dive Bar Beauty Queen album, the song now gains a fresh perspective with Rice joining in on the reflective country ballad.

The songstress tells Country Now that after years of touring together, collaborating with the North Carolina native on this track felt like a natural next step.

“I’d spent so many miles on the road with Chase over the years, but this song gave us the chance to slow down and really connect over where we come from and how those early chapters shape who we are. Having Chase bring his voice and perspective to ‘Momma Don’t Pray Like She Used To’ felt incredibly natural,” Craft shared.

They each draw from their upbringing and the people who shaped them, coming together through a shared understanding of their backgrounds, something they’ve bonded over while on the road. With Chase Rice’s voice complementing Craft’s warm and rich vocals, the duet feels like a look into two journeys that have intertwined on the road and in life.

“Between the stories, the shared Carolina roots, and his honest approach to songwriting, he brought a depth that made this version feel both familiar and brand new,” she added.

The song, penned by Craft with Jess Grommet, Willie Morrison and Corey Elizabeth Grogan, is a tender reflection on the quiet ways a mother cares and prays for her children. Craft first takes listeners back in time, describing how her own mother would read Bible verses every night and pray hard for the safety of her child.

Rice joins in to lead the third verse where he adds to the perspective of a grown adult who has come to realize that their mother’s concern during her child’s upbringing has shifted to more “Thank You’s” rather than seeking support and guidance in her prayers.

“These days it’s a little more “Thank you, Lord”/ That she asked you for some help/ ‘Cause these days I’m a little more put together, Lord/ ‘Stead of putting her through hell/ Every night it’s still “Amen” ’cause that’s what mommas do/ Oh, that’s what mommas do/ Oh, but momma don’t pray like she used to, no,” they deliver on the chorus.

Regardless, they still recognize that a mother’s guidance and prayers remain steady through all walks of life. “Momma Don’t Pray Like She Used To” is full of gratitude and warmth. Rice and Craft effortlessly take the heartfelt story to the next level as their voices blend together, capturing the evolving bond between a mother and child.

Today’s release was accompanied by a music video starring Ashland Craft, Chase Rice, and Rice’s beloved dog, Jack. The trio relaxes in a retro-style living room, flipping through old photo albums, sharing laughs, and swapping memories that bring the song’s heartfelt message to life. Click above to watch.