Hope (2026) (Petra studio album)

Hope is the 21st studio album by the Christian rock band Petra. It was released on January 5, 2026 by Girder Music, first to digital download and streaming formats and to CDs a week later on January 12, 2026. It will be released on three color variant collector's edition vinyls in March 2026. The band produced the album themselves.

Hope is Petra's first new release of all-new material in over 20 years, following up their 2003 album Jekyll & Hyde and their 2005 live album Farewell. Since their temporary split, incarnations have played reunion shows in the years and long-time members, guitarist and songwriter Bob Hartman and lead singer John Schlitt, have released a worship album entitled Vertical Expression under the name II Guys From Petra in 2007. In 2010, Hartman and former Petra members agreed to reunite to record the album, Back to the Rock, in the fall, with a subsequent world tour. The lineup featured Hartman on guitars, Greg X. Volz on lead vocals, Mark Kelly on bass, Louie Weaver on drums and John Lawry on keyboards. Under the name Classic Petra, it's the first time they have toured together since 1985 when they were promoting Beat the System.

Flash forward to 2025 with the current Petra line-up of Hartman, Schillt, Lawry, Greg Bailey on bass guitar and Christian Borneo on drums. Hope was preceded by its lead single and lyric video "Deliver Us," which was released digitally on September 26, 2025. Initially, Petra did not have the intention of releasing the song as a single, however, they decided to release it because they felt that "with recent events the time is urgent." "Deliver Us" is centered around the idea that "our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of darkness."

Girder Music noted that the timing of Hope's release "could not be more significant" because of being released at a time when "the world feels fractured, shaken by tragedy, and desperate for truth." Girder Music named specific events, in particular the assassination of Charlie Kirk, an American political activist, which they noted as a "reminder of our nation's division and unrest." The album was intended to bring hope and "fierce reliance on God's deliverance" in spite of the "chaos and fear." "Deliver Us" has topped the Christian Rock chart by ChristianRock.Net.

Hope features ten powerful tracks that explore faith, perseverance, repentance, redemption, and trust in God’s promises. From the hard-hitting opener “Filthy Lucre” to the triumphant closer “Deliver Us,” the album takes listeners on a journey that is both introspective and uplifting. Songs like “Kiss the Coals,” “Oxygen,” and “Skin in the Game” confront hard truths, while “We Rejoice in Hope,” “Miracle Maker,” and “There Will Still Be a Dawn” shine with encouragement and assurance. Tracks such as “Thorns” and “Looking Back” reflect on sacrifice, growth, and God’s faithfulness through every season of life.

To accompany the CD, Hartman wrote a 45-page Bible study guide entitled Hope Bible Studies. It contain lyrics for all 10 songs, corresponding scripture, as well as thoughts and study from Hartman.  It was created to deepen the album’s message and provide an even more meaningful experience. 

Track listing

All songs written by Bob Hartman, except where noted.

1. Filthy Lucre -3:18

2. Kiss the Coals (Bob Hartman, Jeff Hartman) -3:00

3. Oxygen -3:04

4. Skin in the Game -3:39

5. We Rejoice in Hope -3:28

6. Miracle Maker -3:38

7. There Will Still Be a Dawn (Bob Hartman, Jeff Hartman) -3:24

8. Thorns -3:50

9. Looking Back -4:06

10. Deliver Us -3:53

Personnel

Petra:

Bob Hartman -lead guitar, writer

John Schlitt -lead vocals

John Lawry -keyboards, lute on track 1

Greg Bailey -bass guitar, cello, backing vocals

Christian Borneo -drums

additional musicians:

Eric Darken -percussion on track 3

Jenee Fleenor -violen on tracks 7 and 9

Previous release: Fifty (2023) (3-CD compilation album) 

Watch the lyric video of "Deliver Us" here: