Bible Verses About Transformation to Pray When You Want to Change

I don’t always like myself. I can say the wrong things to someone or hurt someone unintentionally. I can get frustrated when I want to be patient. I can complain instead of rejoicing in the Lord. I fall short of the glory of God everyday and am so aware of it… and want to change. 

If you too seek transformation, know there is hope for change. In fact, God is renewing you every day (2 Corinthians 4:16). There are many Bible verses about transformation that you can pray to change. 

Praying Bible verses for transformation shows him your desire to be more like him. It will allow you to feel hopeful and see the change he is making within you. 

It’s a journey; you won’t arrive until you are in heaven with Jesus. But you can be better than you are today when you are specifically, intentionally seeking it through prayer. You will see results!

What Does the Bible Say About Transformation?

The Bible says that you are being transformed into the image of God. 

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV) 

It is a process that will begin here on Earth. It will come to completion in Heaven. 

The Holy Spirit is working within you to make you more like Jesus so you can take heart and know that the things you struggle with and fail at will not be forever. 

As you seek him and know him more, you are being changed. As you pray and desire his will over your own you are being changed. As you trust and read his word, you are being transformed. 

Trust that the Holy Spirit is changing you. You are not where you used to be. Everybody fails and makes mistakes but you do have his never-ending grace until the transformation is complete and you stand before him. 

Remember the answer to “what does the Bible say about change?” when you feel stuck and discouraged by your failure.

Examples of Transformation in the Bible

If you have doubts that God can transform you because you feel so broken, you can find encouragement in several examples of transformation in the Bible. 

Some of the stories of transformation in the Bible include Moses, Samson, Zacchaeus and Paul (who was Saul). 

These examples of divine transformation in the Bible happened to people like you and me who weren’t perfect. They sinned and fell short of the glory of God… but God still had great plans for them and transformed them. He used them in great ways, as he will do for you also. 

They demonstrate that God can change you when you desire it, so you don’t have to feel stuck.

“… he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV) 

Whatever you are struggling with, it’s not too big for him to break you free of it. He is all powerful and can transform you. You are a new creation when you come to know him (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Remember that God uses all things for the good; your faults can bring you closer in relationship with him as you depend on him and know your need for him. It doesn’t disqualify you. Be encouraged by spiritual transformation in the Bible.

Bible Verses About Transformation

If you deeply desire to be transformed by God, it’s important to pray about it. Prayer changes things and tells God your heart for changing yourself. 

Praying back God’s words to him is an effective way to ask him to transform you according to his will. You should always want his will to be done, which is to be reshaped in his image. 

Praying scripture about transformation allows this to happen. Below you will find 7 Bible verses about change and growth to pray when you seek to be transformed by God. 

Pray these verses from your heart. It doesn’t have to be the exact words. Know what they mean and just pray them from your heart, standing in agreement. 

Psalm 139:23-24

God cares about your heart; this is where everything flows from. So if you are deeply desiring change, pray this scripture transformation example. 

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV) 

Allow God to show you what is in your heart so you can surrender it to him. When you pray for your heart and strive to surrender it to him completely, you will certainly change for the best.

John 3:30

To grow and change well, you need to show God your desire to be more like Jesus. This is a great verse to pray. 

“He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30, NIV) 

Praying this Bible verse will allow you to become more like him. It will show God your heart to deny yourself and want to be like him. The things that are hard will decrease.

Philippians 4:8

Bible verses about changing your mindset will transform you. Your mind needs to be renewed in scripture so you can change. Pray this verse over your mind to think of things that honor him. 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) 

What you think in your mind transforms you to respond well in difficult circumstances. Know Bible verses on transformation of the mind, and align your thoughts with the truth in the Bible, and over time you will change.

Colossians 3:5

If you want to change, you need to pray against doing ungodly things.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5, NIV) 

Desire the things that please him to be transformed to be more like him. Think about what doesn’t do this in your life and pray to stop it. Repent of it, too. The Holy Spirit lives within you to help you stop it.

Philippians 1:9-10

When you know the love of God more, you will be transformed—so pray this verse. 

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…” (Philippians 1:9-10, NIV) 

God’s love is all powerful; when you know it more and it’s more deeply rooted in you, you will be transformed. You will be more loving, more compassionate, not seeking approval from others or needing validation. You will feel safe and know he has got you no matter what is going on. 

Colossians 4:6

Maybe you are seeking change to be more loving to others. Pray about your words in conservations. 

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6, NIV) 

What you say can change others and uplift them. It can bring them to Christ. It will transform you too as you become closer to Christ and more like him.

Psalm 38:18

Being humble before the Lord changes you. This includes regularly confessing your mistakes and asking for forgiveness. Praying this verse before the Lord allows you to humble yourself before him and show him you hate sin to grow. 

“I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” (Psalm 38:18, NIV) 

Then individually confess your sins to him so you can be rid of them, turn from them, and change. 

When you feel broken, and don’t like who you are, know God is all powerful and is changing you (2 Corinthians 4:16). 

Bible verses about transformation are good verses to pray to change; this list of Bible verses about changing yourself for the better shows God you desire renewal and want to be more like him. 

Keep praying and have faith that he is changing you. You are not who you used to be. Don’t give up hope.