God Is a Matchmaker: Seven Biblical Principles for Finding Your Mate

by Derek Prince, Ruth Prince

God is the divine matchmaker, and this is His plan for you.

Marriage is God's sacred creation, a beautiful gift for His children. But too often we fail to leave the choice or the timing to Him.

In this revised and expanded edition of his bestselling book, well-known Bible teacher Derek Prince and his wife, Ruth, reveal God's true plan for you and your future spouse. In addition to sharing their own real-life love story, Derek lays out seven biblical steps to finding your mate. He will also help you answer tough questions, such as

· How can I know if it is God's will for me to marry?
· How can I prepare myself for marriage?
· How can I find the mate God has appointed for me?
· What is God's plan for remarriage?

Full of inspiring testimonies from people who found their perfect matches by following these principles, God Is a Matchmaker also offers special counsel and material for parents, pastors, counselors, teachers and youth ministers involved with those preparing for this exciting time of life.

When you discover God's pattern for marriage, you will experience His perfect a match truly made in heaven.

Genres: Marriage, Christian, Relationships, Nonfiction, Christian Living, God, Spirituality

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Derek Prince (1915-2003), was an International Bible teacher and founder of Derek Prince Ministries International, wrote more than fifty books.
He was born in India of British parents. Educated as a scholar of Greek and Latin at Eton College and Cambridge University, England, he held a Fellowship in Ancient and Modern Philosophy at King’s College. He also studied Hebrew and Aramaic, at Cambridge University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His daily radio broadcast, Derek Prince Legacy Radio, still reaches listeners around the world.

Reviews

[Jennifer L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to put down. While it was first published in 1986, the principles in it do not go out of date. Derek Prince, along with his wife, Ruth, tell the story of how they met and married. Rev. Prince also tells the story of how he met his first wife. (She passed away, that is why he re-married.)

In this book, there are a lot of "chance encounters" that led them to each other. In fact, Rev. Prince decides he is going to marry Ruth, but his accountability group is against it! So he waits. In time, they agree he is making a good decision.

This book is a great example of what can happen when we are living life devoted to God -- along the way we may find someone who is the right one to marry!

[brihanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was simultaneously informing and so SO DAMN CUTE

it kind of gave you an insight of marriage and having a successful marriage and how God is in control, so we don't have to worry. And then there was the romance between the author and his wife. It was ADORABLE to read, and i was screaming. I am so so jealous.
One of my favourite parts was when Ruth was with Derrick, and they were getting tickets to this ceremony/ service thing.
"As we walked out the door, we looked at the tickets. Written in Hebrew, they both said Prince ( the last name of the author. P.S. they weren't married at the time)."
"I guess you'll have to go as Mrs. Prince." Derek laughed. My heart skipped a beat"
OH. MY. GOSH.

[Alissa Holmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't normally write reviews, but I had to on this one. Derek's first part, 5 stars. Beautiful, amazing, inspiring. What an incredible depth of understanding and wisdom. Oh the disappoint at "Miss Manners says buy a copy of Aerobics for Women."

I was looking for wisdom on how to step into my own identity to bring intimacy into a relationship--- not a guide to becoming a good secretary and house keeper.

What this book has to offer for women is so small and so culturally based, with only passing reference to scripture.

What this book has to offer men is broad and deep in scripture.

The disparity was disheartening to say the least.

And then on it went into stuff for parents and pastors, that while not necessarily bad, again culturally based, not scripturally based, and that made me really sad, because it was small.

Derek started with such a profound, divine, deep view of marriage and God's plan for it.

And then devolved into something small, finite and humanly based.

I'm glad I read it for their story and the beginning, but oy vey.

[Nermeen Fathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

فَوْقَ كُلِّ تَحَفُّظٍ احْفَظْ قَلْبَكَ، لأَنَّ مِنْهُ مَخَارِجَ الْحَيَاةِ. ( ام 4 : 23 ) فالشىء الذى يملك على قلبك سيحدد مسار حياتك .
لَمْ تَرَ عَيْنٌ إِلهًا غَيْرَكَ يَصْنَعُ لِمَنْ يَنْتَظِرُهُ ( اش 64 : 4 ) تشدد و انتظر الرب فهو امين =) =)
عَالِمِينَ أَنَّ امْتِحَانَ إِيمَانِكُمْ يُنْشِئُ صَبْرًا. وَأَمَّا الصَّبْرُ فَلْيَكُنْ لَهُ عَمَلٌ تَامٌّ، لِكَيْ تَكُونُوا تَامِّينَ وَكَامِلِينَ غَيْرَ نَاقِصِينَ فِي شَيْءٍ ( يع 1 : 3 _4 )
الانتظار ايمان ، صبر ، نمو ، نضج نفسى و فكرى ، سعى للكمال ، =) =)
طَرِيقُ الْجَاهِلِ مُسْتَقِيمٌ فِي عَيْنَيْهِ، أَمَّا سَامِعُ الْمَشُورَةِ فَهُوَ حَكِيمٌ. ( ام 12 : 15 ) عادى ممكن يكون تفكيرى غلط لو سألت مش هخسر حاجه
لا يمكن ان تعطى امرأه اكثر مما تمتلك داخلها #متكدبيش_على_نفسك =) .
#الله_اولا
#تأهبى_لتصبحى_معين
#بها_يثق_قلب_زوجها <3 <3 ،
أَرِينِي وَجْهَكِ، أَسْمِعِينِي صَوْتَكِ، لأَنَّ صَوْتَكِ لَطِيفٌ وَوَجْهَكِ جَمِيلٌ. ( نش 2 : 14 ) <3 <3 =)

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read. God has taught me so much about Himself and myself. There is so much Bible scripture and awesomeness in the book. I 100% recommend this to everyone!

[Dawn Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a standard for all pre-marriage and all marriages. I am in love with this book. I like the two way addition of each person contributing their personal touch of life before and after getting into a bond of marriage. Ruth really represents a providence woman who upholds the meaning of being a helper to advance her husband’s ministry. God also allowed Ruth to be prepared for this marriage even in her stage of illness she was seeking the face of God for everything. God release her from torment right in the house of Zion where she was delivered and set free from sickness and chronic pain. Her life is not her own but only governed by God. Proverbs 33:5 signifies total dependency on God in all things because being let down when you had just open your heart really took a lot to handle and still being faithful in praying for him. God was testing her faithfulness in the slightest time of distress. She passed with flying colors. I would recommend this book to every marital planner or every marriage already in motion. I live this book so much I have it in all types. I have the book ordered already.

[Christine Baptiste · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a love story and I truly believe God ordained both his first marriage and second marriage. I was taken aback by a story Ruth shared. She talked about how impressed the TSA agent was with her preparedness. She carried snacks for her husband, tea kettle, and his favorite teas, and all sorts of nick knacks in her luggage to make his trip comfortable; I guess the TSA agent thought she was a good wife. My thoughts were does he not have his own luggage, why can’t he carry his own creature comforts? Is he also packing his bag with all of her favorite snacks to anticipate her needs. She goes on about how how much joy anticipating his every need brings her and how that her role to take care of him, but I didn’t hear the same vice versa. The book shares how a lot of women are taught how to be a wife and I am there to accelerate his dreams. Maybe this is one of the lessons I needed to learn but I truly hope that my marriage is more of a partnership and that my husband is equally as concerned about meeting my needs and helping me accomplish my dreams…

[Natallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book after praying about my current relationship and how to keep God at the centre of it. The story of Derek’s relationships are just so inspiring and confirm that God still works in relationships. I’m more confident about listening to God’s voice and discerning how He can bring about fulfilment of purpose through marriages. I would highly recommend for anyone who is single or even married!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book only got through as ok to me because of the personal stories recounted here, although they are not representative of the Christian idea of romance and marriage, the author seems to think so and gets many lessons from his own story. His story is about God's guidance, twice, and thus, God is a matchmaker - meaning if we follow God and His will, and He will only, then God will find you a match(or not, depending on God's will). For a Christian this book may pass or just give the wrong idea about love - but only if this idea is the one that one gets out of the book. Maybe it will inspire too! There are other tips and things to remember that are good, but those only work for Christian couples(that are not, by statistics, doing any better than their non-Christian counterparts). Of course, a couple who both have the same high standards throughout life will have a good chance of being together for the whole run! This is not the reality, and Prince's solution seems to be 1. become a Christian. 2. get your act and ideals together into this strict Christian way and 3. find a mate that does the same(All of which are good and all as an ideal, but not exactly a solution for all). This may well be the best solution for a world-renowned preacher but it does not reflect your common janitor person who just happens to be a simple, humble, believer and not much more who lays his eyes on a beauty who shares this simple faith - but still struggle to get their life together. There is so much more to relationships than what this book gives the impression of!

[Prosper Obomeguono Azanuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Genesis to Revelation, from the first act in Eden to the last act in the heavenlies, the central theme of human history is marriage. Throughout this unfolding drama, God Himself does not remain merely a remote spectator. It is He who initiates the action, and it is in Him that it comes to its climax. From beginning to end, He is totally and personally involved.

When Jesus came to earth to make God known to man, His attitude toward marriage harmonized perfectly with that of the Father. Just as the Father opened human history with a marriage, so Jesus opened His public ministry at the marriage in Cana.

What prompted Jesus to perform His first miracle in such a setting? What important truth did He demonstrate by it? The answer is simple: He demonstrated how much He cared about the success of the wedding. Had the wine run out, the bridegroom and the bride would have been publicly humiliated, and the wedding would have ended in gloom. To forestall such a disaster, Jesus granted the first release on earth of His miracle-working power.

Read this beautiful piece of work and get inspired!

[Adrienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the book focused on Derek Prince, and his two marriages to Lydia (older than him) and later Ruth (who was divorced for 12yrs before marrying him). At the end, I didn't care for the comment that Ruth said, she married him not for love but for the love of the Lord. I want to marry for love, and the one that Lord Jesus sees fit for me and him, us--to be united as one for his purpose and his will. Second, he married her because of faith in God, not knowing her as if this was an arranged marriage to continue his work in the ministry as Derek Prince (which his teachings in various languages and other ministries in other countries).

The one chapter that worked for me was celibacy. Basically, advising believers to be still and patient when it comes to meeting their person/mate. Some are meant to be single, yet like Paul stayed single and focused on the calling of God and celibacy. Others have to wait, ask God (Yahweh), and if not heard from him to confirm if they are to be single or with a mate, continue to seek God (Yahweh) while waiting. This isn't easy, but now at a matured age, I am leaning on Him and not self.

[Dafne Flego · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I've read this book. I guess it found me at the right time.
The worth it held for me, personally, was mostly this: how Derek Prince's grander and my own humbler personal experiences greatly coincide. Faith experiences, not love experiences. The overlap makes stuff he writes about legit.

Some of his and his wife's insights resonated with me just at the moment of my need. Yay!

"True faith is always on the edge of unbelief. At times I had perfect confidence that God's way was best; at other times I doubted His love and cried out for a fresh sign."

"As I wrestled at that time with God's dealings in my life, I cried out, 'Lord, why do You give us something and then ask for it back again? Why do so many of the things You bless have to pass through death and resurrection?'
I felt God gave me the following answer:
'Because when I resurrect something, I resurrect it the way I want it to be, not the way it was originally.'"

[Courtney Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful reminder that God wants to live in deep, constant communication with us. That he cares about the little details of our life. That he has a divine appointment and assignment and that assignment will require the proper life partner. He is intentional and he wants to be in the midst of every moment- if we will let Him. Everyday is an opportunity for preparation- to become the person and spouse we are meant to be. No season is wasted. I left with an increased need to stir up my sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Do I necessarily agree in the idea of “the one” and that God has 1 perfect match for each of us, not necessarily… but to say that God cannot give us a revelation of the person he wants us to marry would be antithetical to the beliefs and qualities I know my Creator carries. Maybe most of us just aren’t listening or aren’t living a life with a call/purpose that requires such divine intervention…. Ouch. But I won’t put my God in a box. Bring on the husband revelations?¿ 👀

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book comes from the experience of the author through his first and second marriage.
Throughout this book we will explore numerous truths through which these principles are played out in preparation for marriage.
 
1. God Himself initiated marriage at the beginning of human history. Adam had no part in planning it. Without divine revelation, man cannot understand it, much less make it a part of his experience.
2. The decision that the man was to marry proceeded from God, not from the man.
3. God knew the kind of helper that the man needed. The man did not.
4. God prepared the woman for the man.
5. God presented the woman to the man. The man did not have to go in search of her.
6. God ordained the nature of their life together. Its end purpose was unity.
7. Jesus upheld God’s original plan of marriage as binding on all who would become His disciples. It is still in force today.

[Ostilio Portillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!! I appreciate the clarifications the authors make about the fact that Christian aren't to seek for a partner, but wait in the Lord for Him to bring that person into our lives. Additionally, I like the clarification that a divorcee under certain circumstances can remarry based on the fact that the Greek verb "Porneia (Πορνεία)" found in Matthew 19:9 actually implies various cases of sexual immorality such as, but not limited to fornication, adultery, pedophilia, incest, bestiality, etc.
In the past, I was confused about this subject since I thought the "Porneia" refers only to the act of fornication, thus I came to the conclusion that once two people are married, they could divorced, but not remarry.
I was wrong.

[Ifeoluwa Shobande · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is truly that perfect matchmaker 👌. I truly enjoyed reading Ruth's part, it show me what I should be doing and how I should be doing it. God is love ❤️. This world wants us doing things out of God's will or not what God wants us to do, it's want us to keep getting busy with jobless things.

You know, knowing and applying these things are two different things. Knowing what you should do and doing it in this world takes a lot of brokenness.

I pray God helps us fulfil everything he has put in our part to be a good bride to him, his church, and this world.


Thank you, Derek Prince and Ruth Prince, for this timely book

[the neviah · Rating 5 out of 5]

possibly the best book i've read the whole year. possibly one of the best books of my whole life.

pastor derek s both relatable and practicable. he is able to digest complex spiritual concepts and distill it very simply to even the most basic of believers. he also writes very practically and gives points to actions within every story he gives on his journey to both of his marriage.

it is both entertaining and informative, and extremely hard to put down. this book has not only grasped me, it has integrated itself into my heart and i am deeply endeared to it.

5/5, absolutely the best and you must read it as soon as possible.

[Ave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me weeping.

I wished I had read this book before I got married. This book covered the whole concept of marriage from beginning to ending. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He had already selected that spouse for us.
This book should be read to babes in the wombs. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, hat the he will no depart from it. Everyone contemplating marriage should read it, marriage counselors, pastors and by law this book should be in every house😀. Well written book.
Thank you very much.

[Chichi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opening read!

God is very interested in marriages - kingdom marriages - because they are a representation of the marriage supper of the lamb. He ordained the first union, the last and others in-between as we can find in His Word. And He’s very much interested in unions even today.

This book reinforced some things I knew about preparing as a bride of Christ - holy, blameless & spotless - and how that translates to other areas.

Definitely recommend for serious-minded Christians, both male and female, who have a personal relationship with God.

[Shayna Chicas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an informative read.
I would recommend this book to someone who may be a baby christian seeking the Lords guidance on Biblical Dating.
But wouldn’t really recommend it to people who are already familiar with God’s match-making processes throughout the Bible or have studied Biblical romance, etc.
It’s has good Biblical principles and it’s sweet how God brought Derek his wives.
Could be considered dull however if you are well versed in the subject already.

[Mia Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - As much knowledge and wisdom that this book contains, I found myself so bored and not interested in the content. It took months to read 204 pages lol. I kept searching for a more modern approach and never received it. This was a mix of strictly new/old testament counsel with very little personal feelings involved. I think I was missing a bit of realism with both David and Ruth. I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed Ruth’s retelling of how they came to be a married couple.

[Kate P · Rating 4 out of 5]

God’s intention and purpose for marriage are pure and beautiful. Nonetheless, human weaknesses have been making it complicated and hurtful most of the time. While it seems like it will continue to be so ok this lifetime, but thankfully there is still encouragement out there and continuous guidance from the Lord.

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful and inspiring

This book further confirmed to me that God is the ultimate match maker, and that He knows us more than we know ourselves and He knows what is best for us.
This book referenced scripture throughout while also sharing Derek and Ruth's perspective. I would definitely recommend this book to those who are not yet married.

[Roushelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional read

For now, all I can say is that I'm so grateful that this book was recommended to me and I'm even more grateful for the grace the Lord gave me to start and finish this book. It was a battle to read but I see the reason why because the confirmation and peace that came from the pages of this book is fire.

[Tomi Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story of Derek and Ruth laced with key lessons about trusting God with the direction of our lives and obeying even when things don’t make sense (just yet).

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

[Christian Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Have gained so much from Derek Prince's relationship with the Lord that has inspired my own walk. Particularly in the book, the element in regards to a chord of three strands being difficult to break. Great read regardless whether you're single or not.

[Margaret Huffines · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hit-or-miss; for a Christian audience it is somewhat helpful, but many of the tenets and principles mentioned are worthy of speculation on the basis of opinion. Other than that criticism, I was enlightened by many of the principles taught.

[Ashton E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really think this book was helpful or really something I would call sweet. I mean yeah trust God but it felt to me like and don’t forget to submit women. Idk I don’t really have any take always except a bad taste.

[Chesyaosimo J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired

This book is a must read for all who want to know more about marriage according to Gods design. It was liberating for me, refreshing and just inspired my faith in Gods design for marriage.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up last year and never finished it. I'm so glad I finished this year. Priceless insight by both Derek and Ruth. No fluff, just truth. I especially loved the testimonies at the end of each chapter.