What does the Bible say about prevenient grace?

Prevenient grace refers to the secret operation of God's grace that precedes and prepares the way for His saving grace. This concept is illustrated through several biblical references, where God's grace is seen at work forming our lives, restraining us from evil, and overruling circumstances for our good. For instance, Galatians 1:15 and Jeremiah 1:5 show God’s formative grace, which molds our lives before we come to faith. Likewise, 1 Samuel 25:13-26 and Genesis 20:6 highlight how God graciously restrains us from our own sinful inclinations. Furthermore, Philemon 15 reflects on how God's grace can overrule evil for good, demonstrating His sovereign hand even in our darkest moments.