Blog 11 - Advancing the Kingdom in Business: Overcoming Opposition Through Prayer

Setting the Stage: Kingdom Principles in Business
 
Hello everyone, Melanie here! In our last episode, we explored the distinctions between Christian-owned businesses and Kingdom 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.
 
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!

Meet Chuck: A Journey Through Business and Ministry

Thanks, Mel! It’s a privilege to share this space with you, and I’m excited to dive into today’s topic by sharing 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 IT, designing and developing solutions for major companies such as Texas Instruments, Exxon, Westinghouse, and McDonnell Douglas. From there, I expanded into business analysis and enterprise architecture, consulting, and training organizations across the globe.

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 leaders face as they strive to create real value and drive meaningful transformation in their spheres of influence.

The Kingdom Connection

Let’s dive right in! Although I have a career in business, my relationship with God is far more important to me than any business endeavors I may have. I think it’s important to share that I came to faith during my early adult years. My journey to faith in Jesus actually began when I started reading the Bible on my own during a time when I had dropped out of college and was touring with bands for a living. But that story can be saved for another time.

I have a spiritual heritage of delving deeply into God’s Word, seeking insights that I can apply to my life. As I’ve mentioned, a significant part of my life has revolved around business.

What fascinates me when I study Scripture is the consistent pattern I observe: wherever Jesus or His followers proclaimed the Kingdom, it resulted in tangible improvements in people’s lives.

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.

I’ve created a detailed analysis on Kingdom impact in a worksheet I'd like to share with you. It outlines numerous examples from the Gospels and Acts where the Kingdom of God was declared or established. Each instance led to improvements in the quality of life, including restored relationships, physical healing, freedom from oppression, and individuals discovering renewed purpose. I’d love to highlight some of these powerful examples that demonstrate how God’s Kingdom enhances the quality of life:

• When Jesus looked at that paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12 and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” then healed him - that wasn’t just a physical healing. That man’s whole life transformed - physically, spiritually, socially. Everything changed.
• Think about that widow in Nain (Luke 7:11-17). Jesus didn’t just raise her son from the dead - He restored hope to a grieving mother and sparked faith throughout an entire region.
• Remember when Jesus fed those 5,000+ people? (Matthew 14:14-21) He wasn’t just addressing physical hunger - He was demonstrating God’s miraculous provision and care in a way people could see, touch and taste.
• That man possessed by demons in Luke 8:26-39 - once Jesus set him free, he didn’t just get his sanity back. He got to rejoin his community and become a powerful testimony of God’s transforming power.
• Look at Acts 3:1-10 - 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. It amazed everyone watching and inspired worship and faith.
• When Jesus defended that woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), 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 16:25-34). Their miraculous deliverance led to the prison guard and his entire household being transformed by faith in Christ.

Making Life Better: The Heart of Business

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: making life better for the people they serve. Whether you’re 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":
 
“Value is making hard parts easy, and people will always pay for value.”
 
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 has built her entire company culture around Kingdom principles—servanthood, excellence, and genuine care for people. She is not merely running a business; she is creating an environment where both her team and clients experience Christ’s love through everyday interactions. As a result, her business is thriving, and she is witnessing lives transformed in significant ways.

The Challenge of Opposition

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:

“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.” (Matthew 11:12)

What did Jesus mean by describing the Kingdom of God in this manner? Why would something as good as 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. 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. This opposition is not random; it is calculated because every inch the Kingdom gains represents a loss for the powers of darkness.

Facing Opposition - Rallying the Prayer Team

You know, just like the Kingdom faced opposition in 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 4, where we see this incredible example of how to handle opposition through strategic prayer and determination.

Nehemiah and his crew were on this mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, right? And this wasn't just some pet project—this was about fulfilling a prophecy to restore Jerusalem, God responding to grief-born prayers and fasting, experiencing the favor of a king of the land, reestablishing the safety of their city, becoming a governor, and leading the effort to…wait for it…to improve the quality of life for their families. (There is that theme of improving the quality of life of people, again.) But man, did they face some serious pushback from their enemies.

In Nehemiah 4:1-3, we read about how Sanballat and Tobiah were mocking the Jews and their efforts with sarcasm. They were like, "What do these weak Jews think they're doing? Can they really rebuild this thing? Will they just call it a day and give up?" But Nehemiah he wasn't about to let that slide.

His first move? Prayer and protection. Nehemiah 4:9 says,
 
"So we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."
 
Boom.

A two-part plan: talk to God and take practical steps to guard against the haters. 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.

Combating the Loss of Heart - Remembering Why the Work Matters

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? They were making plans to attack, 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. 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.

In Nehemiah 4:14, 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.”

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 the strength and motivation to keep moving forward.

Remaining Vigilant While Working - Guarding the Mission

Nehemiah was a master communicator. In Nehemiah 4:18-20, 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 might 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. That’s where a prayer shield—a dedicated group of intercessors—can make all the difference.

Here’s the thing: prayer and hard work go hand in hand.
 
Nehemiah 4:17 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’s schemes.

Nehemiah and his team were fully committed. Nehemiah 4:21-23 describes how they worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk, standing guard and keeping their weapons close. They were so dedicated, they didn’t even change out of their clothes—they were always ready for action.

Pro Tips from Nehemiah for Christian Leaders Facing Opposition

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 He’s entrusted to us.

So, what can we take from Nehemiah’s playbook?

• First, when opposition inevitably comes, our first response should be prayer—asking God for guidance. But we can’t stop there. 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’re fighting for something far greater. 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 Nehemiah’s story. Pray boldly, establish a prayer shield, trust in God’s promises, 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.

Strategic Intercession: Our Secret Weapon

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, I’ve experienced greater clarity in decision-making, unexpected favor in tough situations, and breakthroughs in areas that once felt impossible to move forward.

Making It Work in Your World

So, how can we put this into action as leaders? Here are some practical steps that have made a real difference for me:

1. 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.

Take Chick-fil-A, for example. They train their employees to view every customer as someone with a unique story, focusing on individuals and their needs. Check out their Corporate Social Responsibility approach to caring for people, communities, and the planet.

Or 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.

2. Address Spiritual Opposition Directly

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our battle isn’t against people but against spiritual forces. Look for signs of opposition, such as:

• 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.

3. 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

4. Keep Communication Open

A strong prayer shield thrives on consistent communication. Make it a habit to:

• Share updates about your work and challenges
• Provide clear and specific prayer points
• Celebrate answered prayers together
• 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.

Kingdom Challenges Require Kingdom Solutions

As Christian leaders, we often encounter unique challenges and resistance when advancing the Kingdom 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 and God’s favor breaking through these spiritual barriers like a battering ram.

Favor is the currency of the Kingdom. It’s like having a backstage pass that opens doors you never thought possible.

I know someone who landed a meeting with a country’s president simply because of a connection God orchestrated. That’s the kind of supernatural favor that can demolish obstacles and opposition. I’ve experienced this 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. 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—can consistently cover you in prayer, 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’s power in agreement. As your prayer shield stands with you, 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 the confidence that comes from strategic intercession, you’ll see God move in ways that are exceedingly, abundantly beyond all you could ask or imagine.

Your Invitation to Kingdom Impact

Friends, as Christian leaders in the marketplace, we have an incredible opportunity to partner with God in bringing Kingdom transformation to our spheres of influence. Your work matters deeply. Your prayers carry real power. When your leadership aligns with God’s purposes, you’re stepping into something far greater than yourself—a divine mission to make a lasting impact.

For practical tools to help you along the way, I recommend Germain Copeland’s Prayers That Avail Much for the Workplace. It’s filled with Scripture-based prayers you can adapt to your unique challenges. Melanie’s free ebook and audiobook, Prayer Shield: A Guide to the Strategic Intercession You Need, is another valuable resource to help you build a network of intercessors.

One verse that has sustained me through tough leadership challenges is Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 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!