# Is “Pray as though everything depends on God; work as though everything depends on you” in the Bible?

> No. “Pray as though everything depends on God; work as though everything depends on you” is not a Bible verse. It comes from Christian tradition, not Scripture.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/pray-as-though-everything-depends-on-god
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

Often credited to Augustine or to Ignatius of Loyola; the source is uncertain. Nehemiah 4:9 shows both at once: they prayed to God and posted a guard.

Christian tradition, not Scripture. Origin uncertain.

## What the Bible says instead

> But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to protect ourselves from them.
>
> — [Nehemiah 4:9](https://www.lumin.faith/read/nehemiah/4#9) (Lumin Translation)

> Whatever you do, put your whole self into the work, as for the Lord and not for people,
>
> — [Colossians 3:23](https://www.lumin.faith/read/colossians/3#23) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Pray as though everything depends on God; work as though everything depends on you” in the Bible?

No. “Pray as though everything depends on God; work as though everything depends on you” is not a Bible verse. It comes from Christian tradition, not Scripture. Often credited to Augustine or to Ignatius of Loyola; the source is uncertain. Nehemiah 4:9 shows both at once: they prayed to God and posted a guard.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Nehemiah 4:9, Colossians 3:23. Often credited to Augustine or to Ignatius of Loyola; the source is uncertain. Nehemiah 4:9 shows both at once: they prayed to God and posted a guard.

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