Hope – Petra
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Petra was one of my favorite bands when I was a new believer in the 1980’s and 1990’s, and I continued to follow their music through 2003’s Jekyll and Hyde. Hope is their first new album of all new material since Jekyll and Hyde. It is a mix of rock, mid-tempo songs, and ballads. The album sounds like classic Petra, with memorable hooks, strong guitar work from Bob Hartman, keys and synths from John Lawry, and powerful vocals from John Schlitt. The lyrics are scripturally based, as you can expect from Petra. Bob Hartman wrote, or co-wrote all of the songs, and Petra produced the album.
I really enjoyed this new release. It’s great to have a new Petra album.
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Music News
Song of the Week Lyrics ~ “O Church, Come Lift Your Eyes” by Jordan Kauflin and CityAlight
The current lineup of Petra is:
John Schlitt – vocals
Bob Hartman – guitars
John Lawry – keyboards, piano, synths
Greg Bailey – bass, cello and background vocals
Cristian Borneo – drums
Here are a few comments about each of the ten new songs:
Filthy Lucre – This rocker was written by Bob Hartman. It is about the dangers of money and greed. The riches of this world cannot save a dying soul. Only Christ can bring redemption.
Kiss the Coals – This rocker was written by Bob Hartman and Jeff Hartman. Christ is molding him like clay, and he is shaped in a brand-new way. In Christ’s love he is made whole.
Oxygen – This song was written by Bob Hartman. It has a bit of a reggae sound. God’s Word is his oxygen, breathing life into his soul.
Skin in the Game – This rocker was written by Bob Hartman. Christ bore the weight. He had skin in the game. His blood was shed. A crown of thorns on his head.
We Rejoice In Hope – This praise song was written by Bob Hartman. We rejoice in hope, unshaken. By His grace, we are awakened.
Miracle Maker – This rocker was written by Bob Hartman. Christ is the miracle maker, healing the blind, turning water into win, calming he sea, and setting every captive free.
There Will Still Be A Dawn – This ballad was written by Bob Hartman and Jeff Hartman. When the stars give way to light, there will still be a dawn.
Thorns – This up-tempo song was written by Bob Hartman. With His strength he’ll rise again leaving thorns behind, walking in His freedom.
Looking Back – This ballad was written by Bob Hartman, and it has a country music feel to it. He has such gratitude when he sees what the Lord has done for him.
Deliver Us – This upbeat song was written by Bob Hartman. It was the first song released from the album. We pray for deliverance from evil.
Favorite songs:
Filthy Lucre
Kiss the Coals
We Rejoice in Hope
Thorns
Deliver Us
- My Father’s World. Enjoy the live version of “My Father’s World” by Chris Tomlin, with Jamie MacDonald, George Mhondera and Casey Moore.
- Salvation Belongs to You (Psalm 3). Enjoy this live version of “Salvation Belongs to You (Psalm 3)” by the Worship Initiative, featuring Shane and Shane from the Like No Other (Live from CROSS Con album.
- My Father’s World (Worship Together session). Watch the Worship Together session of “My Fathers World” with Chris Tomlin, Jamie MacDonald and Aodhan King.
- The Power of the Cross. Enjoy this Worship Together Session of “The Power of the Cross” with Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa.
- There is Power. Here is “There is Power”, the latest single from Tommee Profitt’s excellent album The Resurrection of a King, featuring Crowder.
“O Church, Come Lift Your Eyes” by Jordan Kauflin and CityAlight
This week’s song of the week is “O Church, Come Lift Your Eyes” by Jordan Kauflin and CityAlight. The song was written by Jordan Kauflin, Jonny Robinson, and Rich Thompson, and was recorded at the 2025 Sing! Getty Music Worship Conference in Nashville. Watch the performance here.
Verse 1
Come, o church, and lift your eyes
To see the risen, reigning Christ
Look beyond your passing trials
To the Source of lasting life
For our sake, He shed His precious blood
To reveal His boundless love for us
He has claimed us as His holy bride
O church, come lift your eyes
Verse 2
In His name, we now belong
We are His daughters and His sons
With one faith, one hope, one Lord
We display the love He’s shown
For He came to bridge the great divide
So that we could now be reconciled
With the saints from every tongue and tribe
O Church, come lift your eyes
Verse 3
Let us heed the Savior’s call
To be a light unto the world
May our hands reach for the least
And our feet bring gospel peace
For He came to seek and save the lost
So we follow Him at any cost
We will share our hope, the words of life
O church, come lift your eyes
Verse 4
We press on through fire and flood
In Jesus’ strong and tender love
He will fight our fiercest foe
In His strength, we boldly go
His eternal kingdom cannot fail
And the gates of hell will not prevail
He will build His church until we rise
O Church, come lift your eyes
(continued)
His eternal kingdom cannot fail
And the gates of hell will not prevail
He will build His church until we rise
O Church, come lift your eyes
O Church, come lift your eyes
