NASHVILLE, TN (January 6, 2026) - Legendary Christian rock pioneers Petra have released their long-awaited new 10-song album Hope, marking the band’s first new music in more than two decades. Leading the project is the powerful single “Deliver Us,” which has been released to Christian rock radio today and is available to radio music directors exclusively from A-Sides Radio Promotion.

For a band whose name means “Rock,” Petra’s return sounds exactly like what generations of fans have come to expect. Formed in a Bible school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Petra has always been grounded in Scripture, delivering Bible-based lyrics through bold, unapologetic rock music. That foundation runs straight through Hope, an album that does not chase trends but instead reinforces the same unshakable faith that defined the band from the beginning.

Written by founding member Bob Hartman and produced by Petra, “Deliver Us” captures the heart of the album. The song confronts darkness head-on, declaring resolve in the face of fear and confidence in God’s nearness. Its chorus unfolds as a corporate prayer, calling for deliverance from evil, the tearing down of strongholds, and the binding of every opposing power, all grounded in the assurance that through God’s own Son, believers are kept from the evil one. As the lyrics widen to address a nation losing hope and facing pressure on freedom, the song responds with light that dispels the night and victory found in God’s name.

That clarity of conviction has always set Petra apart. After early years playing parks, prisons, and coffeehouses across the Midwest, an opportunity with Myrrh Records, a division of Word Inc., changed the trajectory of the band. Their rock-driven sound challenged expectations within both the label and the church. Petra faced criticism from pulpits, resistance from Christian bookstores, and even picketing at concerts. Yet audiences found them anyway, and by the mid-1980s, Petra had built a fiercely loyal fan base as record sales and concert attendance surged.

Across more than five decades, Petra released 20 studio albums, two Spanish-language albums, and two live albums, selling nearly 10 million copies worldwide. Their legacy includes 13 Grammy nominations with four wins, 10 Dove Awards, and multiple industry firsts. Petra became the first Christian rock band inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the first Christian band whose memorabilia was featured in the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant chain, and the first and only Christian band to perform at the 1992 Farm Aid concert.

Their influence continues to be widely recognized across the industry. Past GMA President Frank Breeden has stated, “Petra was a true pioneer for our industry.” John L. Cooper of Skillet has described Petra as the first band he ever loved, noting that they not only rocked, but taught Scripture, encouraged believers to stand up for Jesus, and helped fan faith into a flame, adding that today’s rock artists are standing on their shoulders. John Elefante, formerly of Kansas, has reflected that Petra’s ministry was always the epicenter of what they did and that witnessing the impact of their music was a truly life-changing experience. Disciple frontman Kevin Young has shared that Petra shaped him lyrically, musically, and spiritually, calling their music a constant companion through worship, prayer, desperation, friendship, and love.

Although Petra officially retired in 2005, the band reunited in 2024 for a 50 Year Petra Reunion and 50th Anniversary World Tour. Featuring Bob Hartman, John Schlitt, John Lawry, Greg Bailey, and Cristian Borneo, the tour reminded audiences across the globe why Petra’s music mattered then and why it still resonates today. Concerts became multigenerational gatherings, with longtime fans bringing children and grandchildren to experience the songs that shaped their faith.

With Hope and the release of “Deliver Us” to Christian rock radio, Petra’s return is not simply a comeback. It is a reaffirmation of calling. In a world searching for stability, Petra once again stands on the Rock, delivering a message of prayer, perseverance, and hope that remains as relevant now as it was when they first helped define the sound of Christian rock.

For more info on Petra, visit the JFH Artists Database.

 

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