Prevent or Precede

Are we to drop the use of "to prevent" in its older meaning?

The Collect for Pentecost XIX in the 1979 prayer book seems to be the same as the Collect for Trinity XVII in the classic BCP of 1662 & 1928.

But is it the same?

The answer all hinges on a verb “prevent” or “precede”

1979 – Lord, we pray thee that they grace may always precede and follow us and make us continually to be given to all good works…. 1928 – Lord, we pray thee that they grace may always prevent and follow us: and make us continually to be given to all good works….

The reason for the change from “prevent” to “precede” is simple. The common & modern meaning of “to prevent” is “to stop or keep from doing or happening.” And this is not the meaning intended by the traditional Collect.

The old meaning, based on the Latin verb, venire = to come, and prae = before, is “to come before.”

In theology, we have long spoken of “prevenient grace”, that grace that is secretly and invisible active in the human soul (heart, mind and will) BEFORE the person actually is aware of this action of the God of grace. By this action he or she is prepared to say “Yes” to the God of all mercy.

This use of the verb “to precede” attempts to preserve this meaning of praying that the Spirit of the Lord our God will be active in us before we know that we need his action!

“Precede” comes from “prae” (before) and “cedere” to move and so has the meaning of “to go before in time.”

The advantage of keeping the traditional English verb, “to prevent,” (and taking a few seconds to explain its meaning in the Notices or Sermon) is that it connects with the long western theological tradition that is known as the doctrine of Prevenient Grace.

Most traditional believers would agree that it is very important that we keep this tradition of understanding because in the current western/ American culture of self-affirmation, self-development and self-realization, we all need to be told and to know that salvation is wholly the work of God to which we humbly and gratefully say (by divine assistance) “Yes.”

We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by the secret action of the Holy Spirit of God both to come/go before us, to be with us, and to follow us. We certainly need to be surrounded by GRACE, the personal presence of the Blessed Trinity of the Father with the Son and with the Holy Ghost.

The Revd Dr Peter Toon Trinity XVII.
Pentecost XIX