The Life and Legacy of Derek Prince

“It shall be like a little stream, and the little stream shall become a river, and the river shall become a great river, the great river shall become a sea, the sea shall become a mighty ocean. How, thou must not know, thou canst not know, thou shalt not know” Derek Prince’s vision; 1945

Derek Prince was a significant 20th-century international Bible teacher, author, pastor, missionary, and theologian. Best known today for his Bible teaching, deliverance ministry, healing, and global outreach, his roots in Pentecostalism are often overlooked. His teachings and life’s works have impacted countless souls, leaving an enduring legacy for generations to come. His connections to the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement should not be forgotten.

Early Life

Derek Prince was born Derek Peter Vaughn Prince to a military family on August 14, 1915, in Bangalore, India. His father, being an officer in the British Military, was stationed there but subsequently moved his family back to the U.K. in 1920. His infancy and early childhood had few memories of the country, but he recognizes his earliest memories being on the steamer traveling back to the UK.

His family continued to raise Derek, instilling the importance of discipline and education. Derek began prep school and credits the lord with an “academic blessing” that had him always at the top of his class. At the young age of 14, he was entered into an examination for Eton College, and won! In a college of 1100 people, he was admitted as a” scholar,” which is unique since they only admit the top 14 exam entrants a year, and only 70 students at a time to have the scholar designation. It was here that he began to study Greek and Latin, which he excelled in.[i]

Derek professes that discipline is a key component to success in anyone’s life! By the time of his passing, he was fluent in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic. He also studied Mandarin, Cantonese, he even learned Russian from a family that had fled the Soviet Union.

In his early childhood, Derek references seeing his grandmother in prayer daily, and he acknowledges this to be his greatest early influence on Christianity. He believes she was earnestly “praying for her Grandson, who had so many potential problems.”[ii] Though he would abandon his faith while at university, these early images laid a foundation Derek never forgot.

Cambridge

When Derek began studying at Cambridge, he had decided he had had enough of the regular worship he was forced to attend at Eaton. Once a day through the week and twice on Sundays wore him out; so, he “decided he wasn’t going to waste his time on that anymore.”[iii]

Here, he began his studies in Hebrew and Aramaic, and again, he passed an entrance examination that awarded him a scholarship to a prestigious university, The King’s College, Cambridge. He was awarded the senior scholarship of the year, and was allowed to write K.S. (King’s Scholar) TWICE after his name, displaying that he had been awarded this incredible designation at Eaton and Cambridge, and because they had both been founded by King Henry the VI in 1440 (Eaton) and 1441 (Cambridge). He took both parts of the Classical Tripos[iv] and passed above everybody in the university for his final examination.

Military Service

 Due to the onset of WW2 in 1940, Derek enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a conscientious objector. He agreed to do medical service, but kept his non-combatant status from his family.

Though he gave up his possessions, he knew he had to take a book to read to keep his mind busy. He decided on a Bible, which, at the time, he testified was just a work of philosophy to him. He says his first night in the army, he sat down and read Genesis 1:1 and found it had an uneasy impact on the men in the barracks.

His Conversion

Derek was in the military for less than a year when he was invited to a Pentecostal church, and claims he had never heard of Pentecostals or even Baptists. Being raised Anglican, he wasn’t sure what to make of it, but he testifies that a true miracle happened that first night. During the “appeal,” Derek claims to have heard two audible voices, one discouraging and another urging him, when suddenly he became aware that his arm had lifted of its own accord. It appears the Spirit began its work in him at that moment. Later that night, at a dinner service, he prayed for the first time, saying, “Help my unbelief.”

On his second visit to the Church, he answered the call to raise his hand and confess his sins. His logical mind took over, and he was unsure of a man who died almost two thousand years ago for his sins in the present day. That night, he sat down to pray by himself for the first time. Nobody around, no church, no music, no lights, no theater. Being reminded of Jacob wrestling with the spirit of the Lord to bless him, he just sat there, appealing to be blessed. The Holy Spirit descended upon him, and he fell off his stool. He lay on his back, asking for more. He felt as if something had filled him and taken control, he found himself sobbing.  His sobs turned to laughter, lying on the floor in his underwear in this bathroom.

The following day, he couldn’t stop praying. A self-proclaimed man with no knowledge of prayer suddenly couldn’t stop praying. From that day forward, Derek Prince entered into a relationship with God where He spoke to him through His word.

Before Jerusalem

Almost immediately after his conversion, the military deployed him to Africa. He spent the next 2-3 years in the deserts of Egypt, Libya, and Sudan, where he had numerous adventures and testimonies praying with random believers in war zones. His study of the bible during this time began forging beliefs that would become the foundations to his teachings that would impact future generations. While stationed near Haifa (then Palestine), he met a woman named Lydia Christensen running a small orphanage. He described the atmosphere as an almost “Oasis” that gave him peace during chaotic times. Derek married Lydia in 1946 and adopted her 8 daughters. They co-wrote a book about the entire experience entitled Appointment in Jerusalem (1975).

Ministry begins

Derek and Lydia moved to Jerusalem and witnessed the founding of Israel. In 1948, they were forced to leave due to the War of Independence between Israeli and Arab forces. They were evacuated back to England and settled in London, where Derek began preaching at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park. They remained there doing God’s work until 1956, when God called them to Kenya to begin missionary work and spread the gospel of Christ.

In 1962, they adopted another daughter who was an orphaned Kenyan. Soon after, they traveled to Canada and began to bounce around North America ministering and healing everywhere they were called.

In 1969, Derek had the first of numerous books published. The self-study bible course[v] became the first book in a vast library authored by Derek. Let us take a closer look at his teachings that became so popular over the years.

Shepherding Movement

In 1974, Derek joined the “Shepherding movement” that taught submission and authority.[vi] The movement was met with numerous critics, including Pat Robertson, Demos Shakarian, and Katherine Kuhlman, who called them heretics.[vii]

The controversy stemmed from their theology of every believer having a spiritual advisor “covering” The central message of the movement was that everyone should be connected to a leader “above” themselves, and in turn disciple others. This idea was to bring order into the chaos in the lives of charismatic believers who were viewed as “wandering.”

Being a military man, I can see where Derek would join in this since order is the intended goal of discipline! Not to mention our God is one of order and not chaos. (1 Cor 14:33) However, I can see how prominent church leaders would fear establishing a “hierarchy” because, with ill intent, it could lead to an abuse of power and manipulation.

In 1983, he withdrew from the movement and publicly repented, stating they were guilty of the Galatian error, having begun in the spirit and quickly degenerated into flesh.

Spiritual Warfare

Derek Prince authored numerous books on the Subject of Spiritual Warfare, including Expelling Demons (1970), Lucifer Exposed (1975), From Curse to Blessing (1986), Spiritual Warfare (1987), They Shall Expel Demons (1998), War in Heaven (2003), and Pulling Down Strongholds (2013) just to name a few.

Derek lays a foundation for Spiritual Warfare, explaining, “The Spiritual realm is more real than the physical realm,”[viii] and “The final picture of God’s people in Ephesians is that of an army.”[ix] Every disciple who engages in prayer is enlisted in God’s army! When Jesus began his ministry, he told his disciples that he “did not come to bring Shalom, but a sword.” According to the Revelation of John, when Jesus returns, he is not going back on the cross; those works are finished, but he will “make war in the righteousness” (Rev 19:11). Until then, his bride is to continue doing the works Jesus taught his disciples to do. Casting out of Demons, pulling down of strongholds, and binding up the brokenhearted are some of the works we have been charged to do, as we carry forth the “Good News” of the Gospel of Christ.

What is that Good News exactly? Derek Prince reminds us of Colossians 2:13-15, God made us alive together with him through the work on the cross! This Victory must be established in the hearts and minds of every believer, especially if we are going to commit to intercessory prayer and casting out of demons.

Derek reminds us that evil spirits exist even in these modern days; people are blind, deaf, and mute due to unclean spirits. If demons still exist, then the opposite must exist, and the opposite of the demonic is of the Kingdom of God.

Derek cites Ephesians 6:12 as the biblical evidence for Spiritual Warfare

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”

The Weapons of our Warfare

Let us look at some of the weapons Derek teaches us for Spiritual Warfare;

The Full Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18 is one of the most widely renowned scriptures for every prayer warrior. Before we begin any form of Intercessory prayer, or even if you are just beginning your day, we must don our spiritual armor. From our shield of faith to our helm of salvation, every piece has its purpose for our protection and victory.

The Word of God

The full armor of God includes the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God! Hebrews 4:12 backs this up as it is written: “For the Word of God is alive and active, Sharper than a double-edged sword.” The spirit taught me in my studies that speaking the word of God and all of my prayers should be spoken out loud. In Genesis, God spoke existence into being, and the Word of God was turned to flesh. (John 1:14) Derek authored Declaring God’s Word (2008), which is a 365 daily devotional.

The Name of Jesus

Every believer must understand that the “Authority of the name of Jesus” commands all demonic forces; they must all submit to the name of Jesus, and all knees will bow! (Luke 10:17-19) Having faith in the Victory that Christ accomplished on the cross grants us the authority to use our Lord’s name to command the demonic, set captives free, and heal the lost.

The Blood of Jesus

Derek Prince considers the blood of Jesus to be the greatest weapon in spiritual warfare, so much so that he wrote at least two full books on the subject. Applying the Blood (2020) and Atonement, bought with Blood (2000), Derek taught us that in the Old Testament, we used hyssop to apply the blood, but under the New Covenant, we use Our Testimony.[x] “And they overcame the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus’ work on the cross) and the word of their testimony (the sin that the blood washed away) Rev 12:11

 When Jesus taught his disciples to take communion at the last supper, he said, “This is MY Blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24) When we live in communion with Jesus, we remember our sin that was reconciled by Christ’s works at the cross, which should serve as our constant reminder of the true price of the Blood. The reconciliation of the blood transforms us and turns our testimony into a mighty weapon for the Kingdom of God.

Deliverance

The Oxford dictionary defines Deliverance as “the act of delivering someone or something; the state of being delivered, Especially Liberation.” In the Kingdom of God, deliverance means to bring from Darkness into the light. The biblical model for this is God intervening for his people to bring them out of slavery (Egypt) and into the Promised Land.

Derek Prince wrote They Shall Expel Demons (1998), where he explains, “The primary purpose of deliverance is to restore individuals to the full freedom and victory that Christ has already purchased for us.”[xi]  One could argue that the works of Christ were our deliverance out of the Old Covenant and into the New, out of death and into life! “…I have come so they might have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Whether it be an Exorcism, a Deliverance session, an “Inner-healing” session, or even Biblical counseling, we all work toward the same goal: Restoration of hearts and souls out of Satan’s Kingdom, and into the Kingdom of God.

This concept seems to be an overall theme for the majority of Derek’s books, including his books on healing!

Healing

In 1995, Derek wrote God’s Medicine Bottle in which he claims, “God’s Healing power is available to all who believe and receive it by faith, regardless of their condition or past.” Explaining that God’s Word is his medicine bottle, which is given to us to take by faith.[xii] Derek professes that “Faith is the medicine that causes the Healing virtue of God.”

Some of the anointed healers I have met claim the same thing: healing power is in the name of Jesus and the Word of God. What is healing but a correction from sickness to health? In a way, healing is deliverance, too!

In the Book of John, Jesus says:

“Amen, Amen, I tell you, he who puts his trust in me, the works that I do he will do; and greater than these he will do, because I am going to the father”

Jerusalem

I would be remiss if I did not point out that during my research for this paper, I learned that Derek had a special place in his heart for Jerusalem, and believed that it is still special to God’s heart to this day! Derek believes that the restoration of Zion is seen as a prelude to the return of the Lord Almighty.[xiii] “For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem. He will appear in His Glory” (Psalm 102:16) NLT

Legacy

Derek Prince authored over 100 books, many of which were released posthumously. Today, his Ministries operate in over 60 different languages and 37 countries. On Monday, 11 September 2023, 33 new DPM websites were launched successfully, as part of the “Kagera Release.” (Mighty Ocean) Many of these sites represent the first-ever Derek Prince Ministries digital footprint in several languages and countries.[xiv]   

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[i] (Derek Prince Ministries/about 2025)

[ii] (Youtube/Derek Prince Ministries 2001)

[iii] (Youtube/Derek Prince Ministries 2001)

[iv] (Cambridge University 2018)

[v] (Derek Prince Ministries/Booklist 2025)

[vi] (Journal for the study of religion 2025)

[vii] (Synan 2001)

[viii] (Prince, Spiritual Warfare 2017)

[ix] (Prince, Spiritual Warfare for the endtimes 1987)

[x] (Prince, Applying the Blood 2020)

[xi] (Prince, They Shall Expel Demons 1998)

[xii] (Prince, God’s Medicine bottle 1984)

[xiii] (Derekprince.com 2025)

[xiv] (Derek Prince Ministries 2025)

Cambridge University. 2018. University of Cambridge admin. https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/2018/chapter04-section8.html.

Derek Prince Ministries. 2025. DPM.com. https://www.derekprince.com/en/news/20230913-1.

Derek Prince Ministries/about. 2025. Derek Prince Ministries/about. https://www.derekprince.com/about/derek-prince.

Derek Prince Ministries/Booklist. 2025. Derek Prince Book list. Accessed 2025. https://www.derekprince.com/en-us/about/book-list.

Derekprince.com. 2025. Derekprince/teaching. https://www.derekprince.com/teaching/04-2.

Journal for the study of religion. 2025. SciElo.org. https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1011-76012021000200003#:~:text=The%20Shepherding%20movement%20was%20’born,five%20Charismatic%20Bible%20teachers%20met.

Prince, Derek. 2020. Applying the Blood. Shippensbugh, PA: Destiny Image publishers, INC.

—. 1984. God’s Medicine bottle. Charlotte, NC: Whitaker House.

—. 1971, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984. Pulling Down Strongholds. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House publishers.

—. 2017. Spiritual Warfare. Bloomington, Minnesota: Chosen books.

—. 1987. Spiritual Warfare for the endtimes. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House.

—. 1998. They Shall Expel Demons. Bloomington, Minn: Chosen Books.

Synan, Vinson. 2001. The Century of the Holy Spirit: 100 years of the Pentecostal movement. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

Youtube/Derek Prince Ministries. 2001. Derek Prince Ministries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiWX1clSQvo.