Day 7: Fanning Your Flame
Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6–14
Welcome to Day 7 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 1, Walking in the Fear of the Lord.
The Focus: “For this reason I remind you to FAN INTO FLAME THE GIFT OF GOD, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. FOR THE SPIRIT God gave us does not make us timid, but GIVES US POWER, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” (2 Timothy 1:6–8)
The Meditation: “Fan into flame the gift of God. . . . For the Spirit . . . gives us power.”
A Fire Needs Tending
Nobody has to work at letting a fire go out. Leave it alone and it dies down by itself. Keeping it burning takes attention.
Paul writes his last letter from prison to Timothy, a young leader with a tender heart and a hard job. He does not tell Timothy to go and find a new gift. He tells him to fan into flame the gift of God that is already in him (2 Timothy 1:6).
What the Spirit Gives
Timothy seems to have struggled with fear. Paul reminds him that the Spirit God has given us does not make us timid. He gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
We need all three. Power without love is harsh. Love without self-discipline is soft. The Holy Spirit gives the three together, and fear cannot stand against them.
Not Ashamed
Paul asks Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel, and to be ready to suffer for it by the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8). He gives the reason. God has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace (2 Timothy 1:9). Christ Jesus has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10).
That is why Paul can say from a prison cell that he knows whom he has believed, and that he is sure God is able to guard what he has entrusted to Him (2 Timothy 1:12).
Guard the Deposit
The passage ends with a charge. Timothy is to guard the good deposit that was entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us (2 Timothy 1:14). The Spirit helps us to keep the fire, and to keep the faith.
Pray It Through
Name your gift. What has God put in you that has grown cold? Ask Him to stir it up again.
Add fuel. A fire needs wood. Give extra time to the Word, to prayer and to worship today.
Face a fear. Where has timidity held you back? Ask the Spirit for power, love and self-discipline in that place.
Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for the gift You have placed in me. Forgive me for letting the fire burn low. Holy Spirit, fan it into flame again. Take away my fear and fill me with power, love and self-discipline. Keep me unashamed of the gospel, and help me to guard what You have entrusted to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 7 in the audio and video below.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
Let us pray with you: send a prayer request.
Join one of our prayer meetings.
