Carrie Underwood emotionally reflects on 'how difficult it is' to be vocal about her faith

One of the performances during Monday night's "American Idol" episode struck a nerve with Carrie Underwood, who held back her tears as she reflected on being openly Christian.

After contestants Breanna Nix and Rylie O’Neill performed a cover of Christian worship singer Brandon Lake's song "Gratitude," the newly minted judge's voice wobbled while expressing what the performance meant to her.

"I know how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you. It is a brave thing to do because there are a lot of outside forces that are going to tell you not to do that," she said as Lionel Richie rubbed her back. "I want to tell you that I’m proud of you guys."

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Little did Breanna and Rylie know, the songwriter himself was listening to their performance.

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After the women performed their song, eyes gazing upward and arms reaching toward the heavens, Jelly Roll cut off the judges' feedback to bring "Hard Fought Hallelujah" collaborator Lake in via FaceTime. "That was the most gorgeous version of 'Gratitude' I’ve ever heard," he told Breanna and Rylie.

The 2020 song spent 28 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.

By the women's performance, there was only one spot left in the Top 24, and the judges passed over Rylie to offer it to 25-year-old Breanna. When Underwood delivered the news, the self-described "just a stay-at-home mom" sank to the floor, crying with relief and happiness.

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Underwood's comment comes less than two weeks after the Pew Research Center released its latest estimate, based on a survey of 36,908 adults, that 62% of U.S. adults identify as Christian.

"Gratitude" was far from the first Christian worship or gospel song performed on Season 23, and more performances are around the corner.

On Easter Sunday (April 20), "Idol" is slated to air a three-hour special that promises "powerful performances of songs of faith." CeCe Winans, Season 22's Roman Collins, The Brown Four, along with Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Underwood, will take the stage along with the Top 20 contestants.

Jelly Roll and Lake will also perform.

Breanna Nix also made Carrie Underwood emotional during her audition

This was not the first time Breanna had made Underwood emotional, as the Grammy winner cried during Breanna's "Idol" audition.

As the Denton, Texas, singer boldly sang Underwood's own song "Jesus, Take the Wheel," her toddler Emerson fought to keep his eyelids open in Underwood's arms until he finally gave in to slumber. The cuteness moved the "Idol" alum to tears.

As Underwood described what "an honor" it was to hear the cover, Bryan took over babysitting duties and let the little boy nap against his chest.