1) Petra is a Christia… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Petra is a Christian Rock band formed in 1972 by Bob Hartman, Bill Glover, John DeGroff, and Greg Hough. "Petra" means "rock" in NT Greek, making the band name a triple pun. Rising from the Jesus music movement, and initially signed to [recordlabel]Myrrh Records[/recordlabel], they fought to gain acceptance and recognition in a church culture that at the time believed rock music to be off-limits. Over time they eventually won over most of their critics, thanks to a steady approach and some solid adult contemporary airplay hits like "The Coloring Song," outside of their usual rock fare. By the mid-80's, when lead singer Greg X. Volz left the band and was replaced by John Schlitt, Petra had solidified their place as the foremost Christian rock band in the industry with a string of hit albums and singles and strong touring. The release of Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out marked a turn towards modern-sounding worship music that would soon explode into the modern worship movement.
Petra was nominated for and won numerous Grammy and Dove Awards. In 1991, after the release of their acclaimed Beyond Belief record, Petra became the first rock band ever to win for Group of the Year at the Dove Awards. They were also the first Christian rock band to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
For three decades Petra continued to produce albums despite changes in their line-up as well as the genre and market. On May 24th, 2005 Petra announced their retirement after 33 years of ministry. They recorded one of their final performances in Franklin, Tennessee to release it as their last album, Farewell. Their last performance finished in the early hours of January 1, 2006 in Murphy, North Carolina. Bob Hartman and John Schlitt continue to tour under the moniker II Guys From Petra.
Lineups through the years:
Early 80's Captured in Time & Space lineup: Bob Hartman, Greg X. Volz, John Slick, Mark Kelly, Louie Weaver, John Lawry
Late 80's "Beyond Belief dream team" lineup: Bob Hartman, John Schlitt, John Lawry, Louie Weaver, Ronny Cates
Late 90's Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus lineup: John Schlitt, Louie Weaver, Lonnie Chapin, Pete Orta, Kevin Brandow
Farewell CD lineup: John Schlitt, Bob Hartman, Greg Bailey, Paul Simmons, with special appearances by Greg X. Volz and John Lawry
More members: Rob Frazier, Jim Cooper, David Lichens, Trent Thomason, Bryce Bell, Quinton Gibson, Justin Johnson
See also http://www.petraband.com/
I Am Available
Petra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't have much to give
There's so much I may never be
As long as I may live
I may never be all I want to be
Although I'll always try
But if you choose me, to use me
There's just one reason why
I am available, I am available
I will go when you say go
I am available, I am available
I will stop when you say no
My whole life was incomplete
Till I laid it at Your feet
So use me as You will
I am available
I'm not the most dependable
Sometimes you can't rely
There's no excuse, there's no defense
There's only one reply
I know that my ability
Is not Your main concern
It's my availability
And willingness to learn
The song "I Am Available" by Petra is all about surrendering oneself to God's will and being ready to serve Him whenever He calls. The singer confesses that they do not have much to offer or give, and that there are many things they may never achieve. The lyrics suggest that the singer may never be all they want to be, but they will always try. Despite this, the singer makes themselves available to be used by God, and that's the only reason why they are available.
"I Am Available" emphasizes the importance of being available to God and being willing to serve Him no matter what. The singer admits that they are not the most dependable, but they are willing to learn and be used by God. To the singer, the most significant thing is being available to God and doing His will.
The song is a call for believers to surrender themselves to God and to be ready to serve Him whenever He calls. The lyrics remind us that it's not about what we have or what we can achieve, but it's about making ourselves available to God and allowing Him to use us as He wills.
Interesting facts about the song include that it was released in the year 1997, and it's widely considered one of Petra's most popular songs. Additionally, it was written by Bob Hartman, a founding member of Petra who has written many of the band's hits. The song's message of surrender and availability has resonated with many believers over the years, and it continues to be a favorite in many church worship services. Notably, "I Am Available" was the last song that Petra released before the band retired in 2006.
Chords:
G, D, Am, C, G, D, Em, C, G, D, Am, C, G, D, Em, C, G
Line by Line Meaning
I don't have much to offer you
I possess limited resources that may be of any valuable help to you.
I don't have much to give
I have very few things that I can offer to you.
There's so much I may never be
There are numerous things that I may never achieve or become.
As long as I may live
Throughout my entire life.
I may never be all I want to be
There are some things I want to become but might not achieve in my life.
Although I'll always try
Despite the likelihood of not achieving my goals, I will endeavor to be my best.
But if you choose me, to use me
If you deem me worthy of your selection and utilize me for something.
There's just one reason why
This is because of the following explanation.
I am available, I am available
I am willing to serve if you need my assistance.
I will go when you say go
I will take action when you show me the way.
I am available, I am available
I am willing to serve if you need my assistance.
I will stop when you say no
I will refrain from proceeding when you require such.
My whole life was incomplete
My life was not fulfilling earlier.
Till I laid it at Your feet
Till the moment when I submitted my life and all my insecurities to God.
So use me as You will
I am allowing God to give me a purpose and utilize me wherever he desires.
I'm not the most dependable
I cannot be relied upon always.
Sometimes you can't rely
At times, you may not count on me.
There's no excuse, there's no defense
I cannot provide reasons for my unreliability.
There's only one reply
The only thing I can state is the following.
I know that my ability
I acknowledge that my talent and skills are limited.
Is not Your main concern
God is looking past my talents and seeks something beyond it.
It's my availability
God's primary concern is my willingness to help and serve him.
And willingness to learn
Another important thing that God seeks in me is my eagerness to learn and improve my talents for him.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BOB HARTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fr. Lee Sissel
I had forgotten this song though this is my favorite Petra album from my Jesus Freak days. Recently my wife brought me her I-Pad to listen to it and said I just discovered your theme song. You say it all the time. I am humbled she hears that. I was forced into early retirement by limitations after a brain tumor but now I am actively ministering voluntRily through the local Gospel Rescue mission and happier then ever with life and ministry.
Dani
Estou aqui, Senhor! Canção preciosa! 💚
Reginald Wallace
Have not heard yet, in my 50+ years, another Rock Band that has the combination of great lyrics and music. Unparalleled in music history. And production values.
Jesse Granados
Same. I was a worship pastor and a youth pastor in the 90's and still work with leading worship today and find that much of the music and lyrics seems to have been relegated to how I feel or emote today and less on what God says, who He is and how all creation worships Him. Petra, Rez Band, Mylon LeFevre and Stryper... just to name a few, all had really strong lyrical content and of course their music rocks, too!
Marco Garcia
I am available Lord. Use me!!!
Shari Pierce
I love the Lord with all my heart and all that I am. I have fallen down so many times and yet in all His mercy He reached down and helped me back up. I love You Jesus, and I am truly sorry that I am not more.
dassadec
Why? he knows your 100% potential and how much of that you can achieve since your birth. he knows how much you can accomplish, so apologies are irrelevant. His plan is exactly what you have done. or you proved his omnipotence incorrect
jp
@Shari Pierce this warms my heart :)
Anthony Sandoval
Truly one of the best Petra songs "EVER"
Peter Networker
Que voz tan especial la de John.... poderosa en las canciones de rock pero con un increible sentimiento en las baladas... uno de los mejores cantantes de la historia sin duda. Y lo sigue haciendo hasta hoy, es incansable.