Prevenient Grace — Grace That Goes Before
Wesley taught that God's grace is at work in every human being before they ever know God or seek Him. This "prevenient" grace — from a Latin word meaning "going before" — is the first stirring in the heart, the first sense that we are not as we should be, the first longing for something more. Wesley called it the porch of the house of salvation. It does not save by itself, but without it no one would ever come.
What Scripture says
All quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
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John 1:9
The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
Everyone — not just the chosen few. The light reaches every human being.
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John 12:32
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
All people drawn. The drawing is real and universal, even if all do not finally respond.
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John 6:44
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.
No one can come without being drawn. Wesley pairs this with John 12:32 — the Father draws all, but not all respond.
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Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
The grace of God has appeared to ALL. The offer is universal.
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1 Timothy 2:3-4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and to come to full knowledge of the truth.
God's heart toward every human being. Prevenient grace flows from this universal saving will.
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2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Not wishing that ANY perish. Wesleyans see prevenient grace as the practical outworking of this divine desire.
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Romans 2:14-15
For when Gentiles who don't have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them.
Conscience itself is a work of grace — the law written on the heart even in those without Scripture.
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Acts 14:17
Yet he didn't leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
God did not leave Himself without witness. Natural revelation is a form of prevenient grace.
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Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out through all the earth,
Creation itself preaches. Wesley saw this as the prevenient witness available to every culture.
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Genesis 6:3
Yahweh said, "My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh;"
The Spirit "strives" with humanity — works prevenient conviction. Grace precedes our awareness.
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Acts 17:26-27
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings, that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
God arranges history so that people might seek Him. Geography, season, providence — all prevenient.
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Ephesians 2:8-9
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.
Even the faith by which we receive salvation is itself a gift — prevenient grace producing responsive faith.
A prayer
Father, before I knew You, You were working in me. Before I longed for You, You were drawing me. Thank You for the patient grace that went before. Help me to recognize Your hand in every kindness, every conviction, every restless ache that points me to You. Amen.