Book Review - Leading from the Altar: A Journey of Prayer

​by Rebecca Barton

If you are anything like me, you know the unique, beautiful, and sometimes heavy weight of the calling we carry. Between coordinating logistics, counseling hurting families, preparing messages, and trying to keep a household running, it is so easy to fall into the trap of doing the Lord’s work in our own strength. We organize, we strategize, and then we ask God to bless our plans.

For the past two years, I have had the privilege of participating in our Refresh 8-month discipleship cohorts. I can tell you without reservation that it has been an extremely enriching and challenging experience. But in addition to amazing content, it was the relationship-building that changed me. Having a safe space to grow alongside other women who "get it" has been a total lifeline. It was through this sisterhood that I first encountered a book that became a holy disruption to my daily devotional routine: Lead with Prayer by Ryan Skoog, Peter Greer, and Cameron Doolittle.

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A Convicting Shift in Perspective
In our heritage, we understand the power of the altar. We know how to press in, how to tarry, and how to desperately seek the baptism and leading of the Holy Spirit. But as I read this book, I was met with a quiet, convicting question: Does my daily leadership and ministry reflect that same absolute dependence on God's presence?
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The authors spent over a hundred hours interviewing world-changing Christian leaders across the globe, and their conclusion resonates deeply with our roots: prayer isn't just the preparation for the work; prayer is the work.
The book challenged me in three specific areas:

• Trading Striving for Abiding: It is so easy to be known as a visionary or a hard worker—but do we want to be known as praying women? The book provides a practical roadmap for moving away from "prayerless striving" and stepping back into the secret place.

• From the Prayer Room to the Administrative Desk: It doesn't just offer beautiful theology; it gives practical tools for cultivating a "rule of life." It challenged me to bring the fervor of our Sunday altar times into my Tuesday afternoon planning sessions.

• Modeling Before Multiplying: We cannot birth a vibrant culture of prayer in our women's ministries or our homes if we aren't fiercely protecting our own communion with the Lord first.

An Invitation to Press In Together
We need the fire of the Holy Spirit in our churches right now more than ever, but we also need each other to keep that fire burning. We were never meant to carry the burdens of ministry in isolation.

Because my time in the discipleship cohort has been so transformative over the last two years, I encourage all of you to join our upcoming 8-month journey through the Bible, alongside Lead with Prayer and a few other carefully chosen resources. This cohort isn't just another meeting to add to your busy calendar; it is an invitation to pause, breathe, and seek the Lord in the company of sisters who will pray for you and with you.

If your spirit is feeling a bit dry, or if you simply desire a deeper, more abiding connection with the Lord as you lead, please join a Refresh Discipleship Cohort. Let’s commit to leading from our knees this year!

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ABOUT OUR WRITER

Raised in a minister’s home, Rebecca was called into ministry at an early age. An Evangel University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English & Spanish Education, Rebecca has been a teacher, piano tutor, worship leader, office administrator, and bookkeeper. Rebecca currently serves with her husband, Scott, as lead pastors of Eldon First AG. They have been married 36 years--32 of those as pastors in Texas and Missouri. Besides being a pastor’s wife, Rebecca serves as the Publishing Team Leader for Refresh Ministry Women. Her interests include singing, playing keyboards, reading, genealogy, gardening, foraging, and crafting. However, her favorite activity is keeping up with her 3 adult kids, their spouses, and 4 active grandchildren.