(RNS) — At the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 1), amid glittering performances and celebrity looks, religion and spirituality made several appearances on music’s biggest night. From references to God and personal faith in winning speeches, to religion movers and shakers taking home trophies, here are the top faith moments at the Grammys. 

Upon winning album of the year with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” the first Spanish-language release in the award’s history, Bad Bunny thanked God before dedicating his award “to all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams.”

The former altar server has often had an irreverent relationship with the Catholic faith of his youth — even saying in June 2024 that he doesn’t pray but that his relatives do it for him. But months later, at the beginning of hurricane season, Bad Bunny released a single containing prayer for Puerto Rico ahead of the approaching storm.

The prominence of Spanish-language music was also notable in the award for best contemporary Christian music album, which went to the tropical rhythms of “Coritos Vol. 1,” a live album by Israel & New Breed. The group, fronted by Israel Houghton, focuses on breaking down cultural barriers in contemporary music.

In his speech, Houghton thanked God in Spanish and alluded to ongoing ICE raids and killings. “To those who are hiding in the shadows in America, those who are scared, let this music, let the hope that we are a part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken,” he said. “We are citizens of a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and that will not end. I encourage you tonight, listen, be nice to the people in your community. Amen.”

A live album also won best roots gospel album, with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s “I Will Not Be Moved (Live)” taking home the honor. In the best gospel album category, Darrel Walls and PJ Morton’s “Heart of Mine” won.

Rapper-turned-singer Jelly Roll was featured on the winning contemporary Christian music performance/song, where he won with Brandon Lake for “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” CeCe Winans and featured artist Shirley Caesar won best gospel performance/song for “Come Jesus Come.”

Jelly Roll used his acceptance speech for best contemporary country album to thank his wife and Jesus for his turnaround from being “a horrible human” after being convicted on drug charges and spending time in prison. He said he believes “that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life.

“And I want to tell y’all right now, Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with him. I love you, Lord,” said the artist, who also was a winner for his duo with Shaboozey on “Amen” for the best country duo/group performance.

And R&B artist SZA, who took the stage to join rapper Kendrick Lamar to accept Record of the Year for “Luther,” shared words of encouragement. 

“Please don’t fall into despair,” she said. “I know that right now is a scary time. I know the algorithms tell us that it’s so scary and all is lost. There’s been world wars, there’s been plagues and we have gone on.

“We can go on. We need each other,” she continued. “We need to trust each other and trust ourselves, trust your heart. We’re not governed by the government. We’re governed by God.”

The Dalai Lama was honored with his first Grammy in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” The 90-year-old spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, born Lhamo Thondup, won the Grammy over comedian Trevor Noah and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

The album features brief passages drawn from the Dalai Lama’s talks and writings that reflect on mindfulness, compassion and physical and mental well-being, linked to a soundtrack of Hindustani classical music. 

The award was accepted on his behalf by Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, who contributed to the album alongside singers Maggie Rogers and Andra Day. “It’s an honor to accept this recognition on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose wisdom is at the heart of this work,” said Wainwright, who quipped from the stage that he is “not the Dalai Lama, obviously.” 

On the Dalai Lama’s Instagram account, the leader of more than 6 million Tibetan Buddhists shared his thoughts. “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility,” he wrote. “I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility.

“I truly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective responsibility for all eight billion human beings,” he posted.

Yet the Grammy win also stirred up geopolitical response. The Chinese government, which has ruled over Tibet since 1951, called the award “a tool for anti-China political manipulation,” during a press briefing on Monday. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959 and was once awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. 

“It is well known that the 14th Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion,” said Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry. 

The Grammys’ star-studded tribute to singer-pianist Roberta Flack ended with a snippet of the “Amen” section of gospel musician Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise.” Smallwood, who died on Dec. 30, was taught in high school by Flack, who died on Feb. 24, 2025.