Entertainment Tonight ET Online ETOnline.com

This year's Grammys host, LL Cool J, kept to his promise to remain "respectful" in light of Whitney Houston's passing by opening the ceremony with a prayer for the late icon.

Whitney Houston Dead at 48

"Heavenly Father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us," said LL, as audience members bowed their heads. "Today our thoughts are with her mother, her daughter and all of her loved ones. And although she's gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit and to have her lasting legacy of music to cherish and share forever. Amen."

The mood was somber on the red carpet of LL's pre-Grammy party last night. At the event, LL commented on Whitney's death, calling her "a voice of a generation."

LL Cool J on Whitney Houston's Passing

Whitney Houston passed away on Saturday night at the age of 48.