I have been a big fan of Petra (the band) since I received a greatest hits album as a birthday gift in 1992. I know Petra's music tends to sound like other popular songs of the same era (depending on which album one listens to), and that there music may not be that edgy to non-Christians, but one thing they always did well was teach doctrine. Their music gave me my first real education in the beliefs of the Christian faith. I think that partly stems from their lyricist and lead guitar player having such a love for theology.
Below are some of my favorite songs for the albums released in order:
Petra (1974):
- Wake Up
- Lucas McGraw
- Walkin' in the Light
Come and Join Us (1977):
- God Gave Rock And Roll to You
- Come and Join Us
Washes Whiter Than (1979):
- Why Should the Father Bother?
- I'm Thankful
- Taste and See
- Yahweh Love
Never Say Die (1981):
- Chameleon
- Killing my Old Man
- Angel of Light
- Without Him We Can Do Nothing
- Praise Ye The Lord
- For Annie
More Power To Ya (1982):
- More Power To Ya
- Judas' Kiss
- Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows
- Road to Zion
Not of This World (1983):
- Not of this World
- Godpleaser
- Not By Sight
Beat the System (1984):
- Beat the System
- It is Finished
- Witch Hunt
- Hollow Eyes
- Speak to the Sky
- Adonai
Back to the Street (1986):
- Shakin' the House
- Whole World
- Fool's Gold
This Means War (1987):
- This Means War!
- He Came, He Saw, He Conquered
- Get On Your Knees And Fight Like a Man
- Kenaniah
- You Are My Rock
- All the King's Horses
On Fire (1988):
- All Fired Up
- Hit You Where You Live
- Defector
- Counsel of the Holy
- Homeless Few
The Rock Cries Out (1989):
- I Love the Lord
- Salvation Belongs to Our God
Beyond Belief (1990):
- I Am on the Rock
- Creed
- Beyond Belief
- Seen and Not Heard
Unseen Power (1991):
- Destiny
- Ready, Willing and Able
- Sight Unseen
- Secret Weapon
- Hey World
Wake-Up Call (1993):
- Midnight Oil
- Underneath the Blood
- Praying Man
- Just Reach Out
- Believer Indeed
No Doubt (1995):
- Enter In
- Heart of a Hero
- No Doubt
- Right Place
- For All Your Worth
- Two are Better than One
Petra Praise 2 (1997):
- Song of Moses
- Be of Good Cheer
- Only By Grace (Medley)
- We Need Jesus
God Fixation (1998):
- If I Had to Die for Someone
- A Matter of Time
- St. Augustine's Pears
- The Invitation
Double Take (1999):
- Judas' Kiss
- Beat the System
- This Means War
- Breathe
- The Longing
Revival (2001):
- Send Revival, Start With Me
- You Satisfy
- How Long
Jekyll & Hyde (2003):
- Jekyll & Hyde
- Perfect World
Petra had two lead singers in its history and both have released some pretty good materials here are a few songs from them.
John Schlitt:
Shake (1995):
- Wake the Dead
- Don't Look Back
- Let It Show
- Carry the Burden
- The Road to Calvary
Unfit for Swine (1996):
- Save Me
- Need I Remind You
- Helping hand
- There is Someone
- Can't Get Away
- Don't Have to Take It
- I Killed a Man
The Grafting (2008):
- The Grafting
- Face of God
The Greater Cause (2012):
- Live it Loud
- End of Fear
- Hope that Saves the World
The Christmas Project (2013):
- Hallelujah Chorus
- Little Drummer Boy
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- O Holy Night
Greg X. Volz:
Come Out Fighting (1988):
- I Come Out Fighting
- Dream On
Finally, worth checking out are the following songs:
- Onward Christian Soldiers (1989) - Petra - Our Hymns Compilation Album
- Holy is Your Name (2013) - Petra - 40th Anniversary Compilation Album
- Come, Now is the Time (2007) - II Guys from Petra - Vertical Expressions
- It's All About Love (2004) - Liberty N' Justice Featuring John Schlitt - Welcome to the Revolution
- Bargain Bin (2004) - Liberty N' Justice Featuring Greg X. Volz - Welcome to the Revolution
On a side note, all songs listed above can be heard on Spotify!!!