Marriage is a divine institution established by God.

According to the scriptures, Adam did not complain about the woman God made for him. We have no indication that he was unhappy or dissatisfied with God's creation.

If Adam could have confidence in God for a mate, I believe that Christians today can do likewise. If a Christian desires to marry, I believe God will bring the right person into his or her life who is best suited for them. When people are united with the man or woman God knows is best for them, things work out better.

However, I do not believe that God has a chart in heaven where He has already matched the men with the women. I do not believe that at all. God has not indiscriminately picked out a mate for everyone.

But, I believe God knows who is best for each person. He knows which qualities are compatible. And when you leave the matter to God, He will bring the right person into your life. The relationship will be blessed and thus produce a happy marriage.

Claiming a Mate?
Oftentimes Christians do not trust God to bring them the right person. Instead of using their faith, many operate in foolishness and, even worse, presumption. Then they use scripture to support their foolish or presumptuous position!

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24).

To many people, that scripture means that they can "claim" a particular man or woman as their spouse. I have even heard some say: "The bible says 'what things soever' I desire, and I desire that this man be my husband," or, "I desire that this woman be my wife." That is not what Mark 11:24 means.

When Jesus said, "What things soever ye desire...," He was not talking about overriding another person's will. God will not force something just because you desire it.

Nowhere in the Bible does God give anyone authority over another individual's will. You may want a particular man or woman, but he or she may not want you!

One time at our church a woman walked up to a man and said, "I claim you as my husband. You are going to be my husband and there is nothing you can do about it." That kind of action is not faith, but presumption.

As a pastor, I have encountered more women than men who "claim" a specific individual as a mate. I do not mean to imply that only women do this. Perhaps the reason I have heard about it more from women than men is because the women give me the most feedback.

But both ladies and men should know that claiming a particular mate is not faith. It is presumption, and it is foolish. God will not honor such a stand. Furthermore, someone who "claims" a particular person may come up with the short end of the stick.

In other words, to interpret Mark 11:24 as a way to "claim a mate" is to operate in foolishness, not faith. Besides, you may get something you do not want.

Some people who read this message may remember that they said of their spouse: "I cannot live without him," or "I cannot live without her," but after years of marriage, and in some cases only months or weeks, many wished they had never even seen the man or woman. If some of them had it to do over again, they would not even marry their current spouse.

Now most women want a husband and, quiet as it is kept, most men want a wife. God instituted marriage and there is nothing wrong with it. But there is a right way and a wrong way, based on God's Word, to go about finding a mate.

Trust God to Bring the Right Mate
In selecting a mate, sometimes we humans just look at the exterior. God knows what is in the heart, and He knows what is inside of you. The natural is all that we can see but, as the saying goes, "All that glitters is not gold."

You might see women who are very beautiful physically who you might think are fabulous wives. But if you spoke to their husbands, you might find out that living with those women is an entirely different story from what you would think it would be. They cannot cook. They are not supportive of their husbands. They nag. They argue constantly.

There are other women who do not look beautiful to some people, but are fabulous wives. Beauty is only skin deep. The real beauty is that which comes from within. It radiates. You are in for a rude awakening if you base everything on what you see.

Let me clarify something: I am not saying that you should not have a pretty wife or a handsome husband. If that is what you desire, you can have it. But let God bring the person into your life. He knows who is best suited for you.

If you are going to "claim" a husband or wife, I would advise you to just pray this simple prayer: "Lord, I want a husband (or wife) who will fulfill my spiritual and physical needs. I believe that I have received my request according to Mark 11:24."

Then simply thank the Lord daily for your mate. Trust Him to bring the person into your life. You will know who the person is when he or she comes, because the Holy Spirit will tell you - if you ask Him.

When you leave the matter in God's hands, you do not have to worry about playing Russian Roulette with your life. God will see that the right person crosses your path. Trust God! He heard you when you prayed.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

"God never sleeps nor slumbers" (Ps. 121:3-4). When you pray, He hears you. You can trust Him to answer your prayer.

Source: How to Believe God for a Mate by Dr. Fredrick K.C. Price
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers