prevenient grace

American  

noun

1. divine grace operating on the human will prior to its turning to God.

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Etymology

Origin of prevenient grace

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

He is almost entirely dependent upon God's "prevenient grace," which gives him the desire to do God's will, and "subsequent grace," which enables him to do it.

From Time Magazine Archive

What must his wrath be that the thirty thousand Needlewomen are still here, and the question of "prevenient grace" not yet settled!

From Latter-Day Pamphlets by Carlyle, Thomas

After prevenient grace, however, begins to make itself felt, then the will begins to take part.

From American Lutheranism Volume 2: The United Lutheran Church (General Synod, General Council, United Synod in the South) by Bente, F. (Friedrich)

The Doctors call this gratiam primam et praevenientem, that is, the first and prevenient grace.

From Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by Bente, F. (Friedrich)

An aggressive woman with opinions about prevenient grace, or the advantages of female emigration, or the functions of the deaconess, would be far preferable to this.

From Modern Women and What is Said of Them A Reprint of A Series of Articles in the Saturday Review (1868) by Calhoun, Lucia Gilbert