Fan the Flame, featuring Dan Rivera, is a powerful anthem written by my friends at COTK Worship, the creative expression of Church of the King. Flowing from the heart of a local church passionate about seeing lives changed, the song reflects the culture of worship at Church of the King—biblical, personal, skillful, and Spirit-led. Having been written by people within our own worship team, it carries the voice of a community that longs to respond to God with bold faith and wholehearted surrender.
Written by Dan Rivera, David Anderson, Ashton St. Philip, Caroline Maggio, and Alex Haywood – © 2025 Songs of Church of the King Publishing and COTKMUSICPUBLISHING
Message of the Song
The message of Fan the Flame centers on gratitude for salvation, a willingness to be sent, and a cry for spiritual renewal. It testifies that in Christ we are made new (2 Cor 5:17 NIV), responds to God’s call with Isaiah’s words, “Here I am, send me” (Isa 6:8 ESV), and proclaims that the Lord who heals our hearts also brings healing to the nations (Ps 147:3; Rev 22:2 NIV). With its prayer, and main focus to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Tim 1:6 NIV), the song invites worshipers to move from personal testimony to collective mission, embodying both surrender and expectancy for revival.
Alignment with Scripture
Verse One
“You’ve saved my life, I am a new creation, Speak to me now, And Jesus I will listen.”
This verse reflects the core truth of salvation in Christ. John 3:16–17 (NIV) declares that God gave His Son to save us, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) affirms that anyone in Christ is made new, leaving the old life behind. The posture of listening to Jesus connects with John 10:27 (NIV), where Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This verse grounds the song in testimony—acknowledging both the saving work of Christ and the believer’s ongoing dependence on His voice.
Verse Two
“You healed my heart, And you heal the nations, As you go before I want to be your witness, To wherever you’re sending.”
Here the lyrics expand from personal transformation to God’s global work. Psalm 147:3 (NIV) says the Lord “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,” and Revelation 22:2 (NIV) speaks of the tree of life whose leaves are “for the healing of the nations.” The call to witness echoes Acts 1:8 (NIV), where Jesus commissions His disciples to testify “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The assurance that God goes before us connects to Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV), which promises His presence and guidance. This verse ties personal healing to the broader mission of God in the world, showing that a transformed life becomes a testimony of Christ’s power to others.
Chorus
“I hear you calling ‘Is Anyone Willing?’ So Lord I’m Responding ‘Yes and I’m ready’ To go where you want me, Follow your lead, My life is the offering, ‘Here I am, Send me.’”
This chorus directly echoes Isaiah’s encounter with God in Isaiah 6:8 (ESV), when the prophet responds to the Lord’s call with, “Here I am! Send me.” The idea of offering one’s life connects with Romans 12:1 (NIV), which urges believers to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” The commitment to follow wherever God leads reflects Jesus’ command in Matthew 16:24 (NIV), “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” In this way, the chorus captures the essence of discipleship—surrendered, obedient, and ready to be sent.
Tag
“Here I am, Send me.”
This short refrain reinforces the call-and-response theme of Isaiah 6:8 (ESV). By repeating these words, the worshiper affirms their availability to God’s mission. It is a simple yet powerful declaration of surrender and readiness, serving as both a prayer of personal consecration and a unifying cry for the gathered church.
Bridge
“Fan the flame, Stir the fire, I want to be a part of your revival.”
The bridge draws on Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV), “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you,” encouraging believers to actively stir up the Spirit’s work within. The imagery of fire reflects the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2:3–4 (NIV), where “tongues of fire” rested on the disciples as they were filled with power. The longing to be part of God’s “revival” resonates with Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV), “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds… renew them in our day.” The bridge expresses both a personal desire for spiritual renewal and a corporate prayer for God to move in fresh power among His people.
Vertical and Horizontal Worship
Fan the Flame beautifully blends both vertical and horizontal elements of worship, giving worship leaders and teams the opportunity to engage the congregation on two levels.
- Vertical Worship (to the Lord):
Much of the song is sung directly to God in prayer and surrender. Lines like “Speak to me now and Jesus I will listen” and “Here I am, send me” are prayers lifted vertically, offering the heart and life of the believer directly to the Lord. The chorus, which echoes Isaiah 6:8 (ESV), is a vertical cry of availability and obedience. The bridge, “Fan the flame, stir the fire, I want to be a part of your revival,” is also vertical in nature, asking the Holy Spirit to work within and through us. - Horizontal Worship (to the congregation):
At the same time, the song contains strong horizontal declarations that encourage and exhort others. In verse two, “You healed my heart and you heal the nations” is testimony language—reminding fellow believers of God’s power to heal both personally and globally. Similarly, “As you go before I want to be your witness” testifies of personal commitment, which encourages others to join in that mission. These lines serve as reminders and encouragements, strengthening faith across the body.
Why This Matters
Understanding the balance of vertical and horizontal worship helps singers and musicians engage with the song’s full spiritual meaning. When you sing the vertical lines, approach them as prayers—heartfelt offerings directed to the Lord. This personalizes your worship and deepens the authenticity of your leading. When you declare the horizontal lines, recognize that you are also ministering to the congregation, reminding them of God’s truth, encouraging them to trust, and inviting them into obedience.
This dual role—prayer to God and testimony to others—reflects the biblical rhythm of worship seen throughout the Psalms. David often sang to the Lord, but also declared His faithfulness before the people (Ps 40:3 NIV). In the same way, Fan the Flame equips the worship team to both lead the congregation upward toward God’s presence and outward toward His mission.
Biblical Themes
- Spiritual Renewal and Revival (2 Tim 1:6 NIV)
- Salvation in Christ (John 3:16–17 NIV)
- New Creation Identity (2 Cor 5:17 NIV)
- Listening and Obedience to God’s Voice (John 10:27 NIV)
- Surrender and Availability (Isa 6:8 ESV; Rom 12:1 NIV)
- Healing of the Heart and Nations (Ps 147:3 NIV; Rev 22:2 NIV)
- Witness and Mission (Acts 1:8 NIV)
- God’s Presence Going Before Us (Deut 31:8 NIV)
Personal and Worship Team Experience
When we introduced Fan the Flame in worship, it carried a special weight for me because I personally know some of the songwriters from my church, Church of the King, and have had the privilege of serving with them on occasion. That connection made the lyrics all the more personal—singing “You’ve saved my life, I am a new creation” wasn’t just a truth I read in Scripture (2 Cor 5:17 NIV), but a testimony of my own story of grace and transformation. The chorus, “Here I am, send me” (Isa 6:8 ESV), felt like a fresh altar moment of surrender, a reminder that the call of God is not just for the biblical prophets but for each of us in the present. As our worship team led the congregation, the atmosphere shifted from individual testimonies to a unified cry, and together we sang not just as musicians but as people personally marked by God’s saving power and willingness to be sent wherever He leads.
Conclusion
“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” (2 Tim 1:6 NIV). This verse captures the very heart of Fan the Flame by COTK Worship and is the foundation from which the entire song flows. Every lyric—whether proclaiming new life in Christ (2 Cor 5:17 NIV), responding to God’s call with “Here I am, send me” (Isa 6:8 ESV), or declaring His healing for individuals and nations (Ps 147:3; Rev 22:2 NIV)—springs from this call to stir up the Holy Spirit’s fire within us. These truths are not just theological ideas to be sung about—they are foundations that should shape how we live and serve. For worshipers, it is essential to understand the biblical message behind the lyrics so that singing “Here I am, send me” becomes more than words on a screen; it becomes a personal response to God’s call. In the same way, declaring “You’ve saved my life, I am a new creation” transforms the song into a personal testimony of grace. When we root ourselves in these themes and allow them to flow through our own stories, the song becomes more than a moment in a service (and NEVER a performance) —it becomes a lived reality, a prayer of obedience, and a declaration of God’s work in and through us, personally and collectively.
