Don Williams’ “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” Is Everyone’s Daily Prayer

When Don Williams’ “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” was released in 1981 as the third single off his album, Especially for You, he brought the everyday prayers of millions to life. 

The song then became another country hit for Williams, ranking No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, where it stayed atop for the whole week, overall spending twenty remarkable weeks on the said chart. His vocal nuances of a thankful but somewhat down-trodden man are so in tune that it was no longer a surprise when it resonated to countless listeners all over the world.

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Written by Dave Hanner, “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” tells the tale of a man who was feeling empty and misunderstood but chose to be thankful instead. The song is his earnest prayer for the Lord to plan a good day for him.

It has since been sung by many, including Hanner, who recorded the song as a member of Corbin/Hanner and released it a year after Don Williams did. Other notable versions were by Anne Murray and Lee Ann Womack.

Recently, Caylee Hammack – one of those singers who had her life and career interrupted for the last year and a half since the pandemic began – released her own version too. The country singer-songwriter admitted that the song had held a special place in her heart since childhood, and she found herself frequently visiting the optimistic ballad the past few months because of the comfort it brings. Her version features fellow Georgia native Alan Jackson.

Sadly, we lost the Gentle Giant in 2017 – but we’re lucky he left us seventeen No. 1 hits to enjoy. So do yourself a favor and truly immerse yourself in the gentle greatness of Don Williams songs. You can begin by playing the video below and listen to “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” by Don Williams.