00:01 Emcee:
Welcome to the Strategic Intercession Podcast, where we share powerful prayer techniques, inspiring stories, and tools to help you lead with wisdom and confidence. Hosted by Melanie Boudreau, a seasoned leader in focused prayer. Whether you're leading in church, government, or business, shaping your industry, this podcast is for you. Now, here's your host, Melanie Boudreau.

00:30 Melanie Boudreau:
Hi everyone. In our last episode, we explored the distinctions between Christian-owned businesses and king businesses. As someone who has worked with business leaders through Apostolic Intercessors Network for over 15 years, I've seen firsthand how strategic intercession can transform businesses. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome a special guest who's here to dive deeper into how Kingdom principles play out in modern-day business and why they matter more than ever. My husband, Chuck Boudreau, brings a wealth of insight from his decades of experience in the corporate world of big business ministry and entrepreneurship.

01:07 Melanie Boudreau:
Before I hand it over to him, let me remind you, this isn't just about making our businesses more successful, it's about advancing God's Kingdom and aligning our work with his will in every sphere of influence. Chuck, take it away!

01:23 Chuck Boudreau:
Thank you, Mel. It's a privilege to share this space with you, and I'm excited to dive into today's topic by sharing just a little about my journey and perspective. Over the past few decades, I've worked in a variety of roles and industries. My career began in information technology, designing and developing solutions for major companies like Texas Instruments, Exxon, Westinghouse, and McDonald Douglas. From there, I expanded into a field called business analysis and enterprise architecture, doing some consulting and training for organizations across the globe.

01:59 Chuck Boudreau:
My journey hasn't been confined to large corporations. I've explored the fast-paced world of startups. Spent over 20 years serving in ministry with Compassion International and led my own businesses where I've developed, marketed, and delivered innovative solutions. These diverse experiences have deepened my understanding of the challenges that leaders face as they strive to create real value and drive meaningful transformation in their spheres of influence.

02:31 Chuck Boudreau:
All right, let's dive right in. Although I do have a career in business, my relationship with God is far more important to me than any business endeavors I may have. And, I think it's important to share that I came to faith during my adult years, and my journey to faith in Jesus actually began when I started reading the Bible on my own during a time when I had dropped outta college and was touring with bands for a living. But that's another story for another time. So, I have this spiritual heritage of delving deeply into God's word, seeking insights that I can apply to my life.

03:06 Chuck Boudreau:
And as I've mentioned, a significant part of my life has revolved around business. What fascinates me most when I study Scripture is the consistent pattern that I observe, and that is: Wherever Jesus or his followers proclaim the Kingdom, it resulted in tangible improvements in people's lives.

03:25 Chuck Boudreau:
Our Heavenly Father is truly in the business of restoration, and through Jesus, he has created a pathway to bring his life and Kingdom transformation into every aspect of our world. So, I've created a detailed worksheet that I'd like to share with you. It outlines numerous examples from the gospels and the Book of Acts where the Kingdom of God was declared or established. I'll put a link to the worksheet in the show notes. Each instance led to improvements in the quality of life, including restored relationships, physical healing, freedom from opposition, and individuals discovering renewed purpose.

04:05 Chuck Boudreau:
Let me highlight some of these powerful examples that demonstrate how God's Kingdom enhances the quality of life. First, when Jesus looked at the paralyzed man in Mark chapter two, verses one through 12, and said, "Son, your sins are forgiven. And then he healed him. And that wasn't just a physical healing.

04:25 Chuck Boudreau:
That man's whole life transformed physically, spiritually, socially; everything changed. Second, think about the widow in naan, Luke, chapter seven, verses 11 through 17. Jesus didn't just raise her son from the dead. He restored hope to a grieving mother and sparked faith throughout an entire region. Third, remember when Jesus fed those 5,000 plus people, Matthew chapter 14, verses 14 through 21, he wasn't just addressing physical hunger.

05:00 Chuck Boudreau:
He was demonstrating God's miraculous provision and care in a way that people could see, touch, and taste that man possessed by demons. In Luke chapter eight, verses 26 through 39, well, once Jesus set him free, he didn't just get his sanity back. He got to rejoin his community and became a powerful testimony of God's transforming power. Look at Acts chapter three, verses one through 10. When Peter and John healed that lame man at the temple gate through Jesus' name, his newfound ability to walk didn't just change his life.

05:36 Chuck Boudreau:
It amazed everyone watching and inspired worship and faith. When Jesus defended the woman caught in adultery, John chapter eight, verses one through 11. He wasn't just offering forgiveness, he was restoring her dignity and showing us what Kingdom mercy and redemption look like in real life. And don't forget Paul and Silas in that Philippian jail Acts chapter 16, verses 25 through 34. Their miraculous deliverance led to the prison guard and his entire household being transformed by faith in Christ.

06:14 Chuck Boudreau:
As I reflected on various biblical accounts, I noticed a fascinating parallel between how God's Kingdom operates and the true purpose of any business or organization, and that is: Making life better for the people they serve. Whether you are running your own shop, managing a team, or leading a company, your ultimate goal should be to make a positive difference in your sphere of influence. I appreciate what Guy Kawasaki says in his book Rules for Revolutionaries.

06:46 Chuck Boudreau:
He says, "Value is making hard parts easy, and people will always pay for value." So, essentially, your work revolves around serving others in a way that enhances their quality of life. I know a successful Christian business owner who truly understands this concept. She's built her entire company culture around Kingdom principles, servanthood excellence, and genuine care for people. She's not merely running a business, she's creating an environment where both her team and clients experience Christ's love through everyday interactions.

07:22 Chuck Boudreau:
As a result, her business is thriving, and she's witnessing lives transformed in significant ways.

07:31 Chuck Boudreau:
Let's revisit my detailed research on where the Kingdom of God has been declared or enforced on multiple occasions. This has led to opposition and resistance. Jesus himself addresses this phenomenon in the gospel of Matthew, and he says, from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the Kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent take it by force. That's Matthew chapter 11, verse 12, what did Jesus mean by describing the Kingdom of God in this manner?

08:04 Chuck Boudreau:
And why would something as good as the Kingdom, God's Kingdom, a realm of healing, restoration, and peace be met with violence? The answer lies in the nature of opposition. The coming of God's Kingdom disrupts the status quo of a fallen world, and it challenges the dominion of darkness, exposing sin and breaking the chains of bondage the enemy retaliates by sowing resistance, conflict and spiritual warfare to hinder its advance. And this opposition is not random, it is calculated because every inch, the Kingdom of God gains represents a loss for the powers of darkness.

08:47 Chuck Boudreau:
You know, just like the Lingdom faced opposition and biblical times, Christian leaders today run into some serious roadblocks when they're trying to live out their faith in the marketplace. So the Bible has a lot to say about opposition. Consider Nehemiah's story in chapter four, where we see this incredible example of how to handle opposition through strategic prayer and determination. Nehemiah and his crew were in this mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, right? And this wasn't just some pet project, and this was about fulfilling a prophecy to restore Jerusalem.

09:22 Chuck Boudreau:
God responding to grief, born prayers and fasting, experiencing the favor of a king of a land, reestablishing the safety of their city, becoming a governor and leading the effort to pause, wait for it to improve the quality of life for their families, but they faced some serious pushback from their enemies. In Nehemiah chapter four verses one through three, we read about how sand Bach and toba were mocking the Jews and their efforts with sarcasm.

09:55 Chuck Boudreau:
And they were saying, what do these weak Jews think they're doing? Can they really rebuild this thing? Well, they just call it a day and give up. But Nehemiah, he wasn't about to let that slide. So his first move, prayer and protection, Nehemiah chapter four, verse nine says, so we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Boom, it's a two part plan. Talk to God and take practical steps to guard against the haters <laugh>.

10:29 Chuck Boudreau:
And let me tell you, this is a strategy we can all get behind, whether we're leading in a church or a corporate office.

10:38 Chuck Boudreau:
Even with Nehemiah's plan in place, the opposition grew stronger. The workers began to feel discouraged saying things like, we'll never finish this. There's too much rubble. We can't handle this on our own. And the enemies, well, they're making plans to attack and take the Jews down and stop the work completely. If you're a Christian leader working in a place that isn't faith-based, you might be thinking, yeah, this sounds familiar. The enemy loves to whisper lies, trying to discourage us, making the task feel too big and the opposition too strong.

11:17 Chuck Boudreau:
If we're not careful, we can start believing those lies and lose sight of why we're there in the first place. But Nehemiah knew the key to staying strong. And Nehemiah chapter four, verse 14, he rallied the workers saying, don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome and fight for your families, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.

11:46 Chuck Boudreau:
He reminded them of God's faithfulness and the purpose behind their work to make life better for the people they loved. And you know what? That same principle applies to us even if we can't openly say God is on our side at work, when we face opposition, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. But when we step back and remember that our work is about making a difference in people's lives, whether it's our customers, clients, or community, it gives us strength and motivation to keep moving forward.

12:27 Chuck Boudreau:
Nehemiah was a master communicator in Nehemiah chapter four, verses 18 through 20. He set up a trumpet system so everyone could rally quickly if an attack came. He reminded them, wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us. In our world, we may not have literal trumpets, but we still need support systems like that. We need people in our corner to pray for us, encourage us and help us stay strong when things get tough.

13:02 Chuck Boudreau:
And that's where a prayer shield, a dedicated group of intercessors can make all the difference. Here's the thing, prayer and hard work, they go hand in hand. Nehemiah chapter four, verse 17 paints this powerful image of workers holding tools in one hand and weapons in the other, ready to defend their mission at a moment's notice. Isn't that a perfect picture of the Christian life? We're called to pour ourselves into our work using the gifts God has given us to serve and make an impact, but we also need to stay alert, ready to stand firm against the enemy schemes.

13:44 Chuck Boudreau:
Nehemiah and his team were fully committed. D Miah chapter four verses 21 through 23 describes how they worked tirelessly from Don till dusk, standing guard and keeping their weapons close. And they were so dedicated they didn't even change outta their clothes, they were always ready for action.

14:07 Chuck Boudreau:
As leaders, we need to bring Nehemiah's level of dedication to the table. Prayer and spiritual protection can't be something we clock in and out of. They need to be a lifestyle daily. We must seek God's wisdom and strength for the mission that he's entrusted to us. So what could we take from Nehemiah's playbook? Here are three key lessons. First, when opposition inevitably comes, our first response should be prayer, asking God for guidance, but we can't stop there.

14:38 Chuck Boudreau:
We also need to take practical steps to protect our mission, whether that's rallying a prayer team, building a strong support network, or staying spiritually alert. Second, we need to keep our eyes on the bigger picture. When the grind wears us down and quitting feels tempting, we must remember the why behind our work. It's not just about meeting deadlines or completing tasks. We are fighting for something far greater.

15:04 Chuck Boudreau:
Our work holds the power to bring positive change and improve lives. Finally, we have to be all in. This isn't a part-time commitment. To see God's plan unfold in our lives and leadership, we need to consistently seek his direction and protection while working diligently to accomplish the tasks at hand. If you're facing opposition right now, take a page from e Miah story. Pray boldly, establish a prayer shield, trust in God's promises.

15:35 Chuck Boudreau:
Stand firm and keep the lives you're called to impact. In focus. Surround yourself with people who will pray and encourage you and remind your team of the greater purpose behind your work. As you do, I believe you'll find the strength and wisdom to overcome obstacles and witness God do incredible things through your leadership.

16:00 Chuck Boudreau:
Let's circle back to a key lesson from Nehemiah, the power of strategic intercession. Even in non-religious business settings, it's possible to build an incredible network of dedicated intercessors who commit to praying regularly for you, your organization, and the people you serve. Think of a prayer shield as a spiritual force field. It doesn't make problems vanish, but it provides supernatural support operating in the heavenly realms. I've seen it firsthand with a team of intercessors consistently praying for me.

16:33 Chuck Boudreau:
I've experienced greater clarity in decision making, unexpected favor in tough situations, and breakthroughs in areas that felt impossible to move forward. So how can we put this into action as leaders?

16:50 Chuck Boudreau:
Let me share four practical steps that have made a real difference for me. Step number one, cast vision for your organization's impact. Help your team see beyond the daily grind and connect with the bigger purpose behind their work. Show them how they're contributing to real change in people's lives. Let me share two examples. First, consider Chick-fil-A. They train their employees to view every customer as someone with a unique story focusing on individuals and their needs, and they have an impressive corporate social responsibility approach to caring for people, communities, and the planet.

17:30 Chuck Boudreau:
Second example, look at Compassion International, a ministry that partners with churches to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. They intentionally take their staff on field trips to other countries to witness firsthand the impact of their work on children and communities. They also hold weekly all staff meetings, both in person and online, sharing stories, casting vision, and emphasizing the mission's importance.

17:57 Chuck Boudreau:
So that's step number one. Cast your vision for your organization's impact. Step number two, address spiritual opposition directly. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians chapter six, verse 12, that our battle isn't against people, but against spiritual forces. Watch for these signs of opposition, disunity among your team, persistent discouragement, a nagging sense of inadequacy. Identify these issues for what they are and address them both spiritually and practically.

18:34 Chuck Boudreau:
Step number three, build a prayer shield. Establish a network of intercessors who commit to covering you, your organization, and your mission in prayer. Look for people who understand intercession and its importance, can maintain confidentiality. Share a heart for your vision, include both peers and those you've mentored. Step number four, keep communication open. A strong prayer shield thrives on consistent communication.

19:05 Chuck Boudreau:
So make it a habit to share updates with your prayer shield about your work and challenges. Provide clear and specific prayer points. Celebrate answered prayers together, and express genuine gratitude for their partnership. By implementing these steps, you can integrate strategic intercession into your leadership context, fostering a culture of purpose and spiritual resilience while empowering your team and advancing your mission.

19:36 Chuck Boudreau:
As Christian leaders, we often encounter unique challenges and resistance when advancing the Kingdom of God through our work, especially in environments that aren't exactly welcoming to the name of Jesus. Yet, time and again, I've witnessed the power of strategic intercession in God's favor, breaking through these spiritual barriers like a battering ram. Favor is the currency of the Kingdom. I'll say that again. Favor is the currency of the Kingdom. It's like having a backstage pass that opens doors that you never thought possible.

20:09 Chuck Boudreau:
I know someone who landed a meeting with a country's president simply because of a connection that God orchestrated. That's the kind of supernatural favor that can demolish obstacles and opposition. I've experienced this as well in my own career, being placed in positions of influence and seeing doors open, not because of self-promotion but because I stayed faithful to what God entrusted to me.

20:32 Chuck Boudreau:
His favor illuminated my path, declaring, "This is your God-appointed time!" This kind of breakthrough starts with living out a fuller identity in Christ, seeking first His Kingdom, trusting his promises and resting in his goodness. As we do, God fights the battles for us, opening and closing doors, forging divine connections, and shutting down dark spiritual forces to navigate resistance. One of the most powerful tools we have is strategic intercession, a prayer shield, a group of mature believers who know how to pray with authority and who can consistently cover you in prayer.

21:12 Chuck Boudreau:
Declaring God's promises over your life and leadership equipped with Scripture- based prayers, they can pray boldly and align their words with God's word to tear down obstacles and open new doors for Kingdom impact, there is power in agreement, and as your prayer shield stands with you, your intercessors create a spiritual foundation for breakthroughs you couldn't achieve on your own. Keep them informed by sharing both the challenges you're facing and the victories you're trusting God to bring with their support and confidence that comes from strategic intercession, you'll see God move in ways that are exceedingly abundantly beyond all you could ask or imagine.

21:55 Chuck Boudreau:
Friends. As Christian leaders in the marketplace, we have an incredible opportunity to partner with God and bringing Kingdom transformation to our spheres of influence. And your work matters deeply and your prayers carry real power. When your leadership aligns with God's purposes, you're stepping into something far greater than yourself. It's a divine mission to make a lasting impact. For practical tools to help you along the way, I recommend Jermaine Copeland's book, prayers that avail much for the workplace.

22:31 Chuck Boudreau:
It's filled with Scripture-based prayers. You can adapt to your unique challenges. Melanie's free ebook and audiobook entitled Prayer Shield, a Guide to the Strategic Intercession You Need. It's another valuable resource to help you build a network of intercessors, and it's available for free by simply subscribing to strategic intercession.com. One verse that sustained me through tough leadership challenges is Joshua chapter one, verse nine, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

23:03 Chuck Boudreau:
Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord. Your God will be with you wherever you go. God has placed you where you are for a reason, equipping you with gifts, experiences, and authority to make a difference in the lives of those you serve. Take heart, lean into the power of strategic intercession and trust that the Lord is working through you to accomplish his purposes. It's an honor to be on this journey with you. And now back to Melanie.

23:36 Melanie Boudreau:
Thank you, Chuck for sharing your wisdom and practical insights with us today. I know our listeners will be inspired and equipped by what you've shared as we wrap up this episode. Remember, you are not alone in the challenges you face as a leader. The strategic intercession community is here to support and encourage you. Be sure to check out the show notes for all the resources Chuck mentioned. subscribe@strategicintercession.com for resources, ongoing encouragement and equipping.

24:07 Melanie Boudreau:
Until next time, keep leading with courage, praying with boldness, and trusting in the God who called you to advance his Kingdom in the marketplace.

24:18 Emcee:
Thank you for listening to the Strategic Intercession podcast. We hope you found today's episode inspiring and helpful. Don't forget to subscribe, share this podcast and visit strategic intercession.com for more resources. We're grateful to have you as part of our community. Until next time, blessings.