Keep the Fire Burning: How to Stay Spiritually On Fire for God

“Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out.”
Leviticus 6:12-13

When I first gave my life to Jesus, I thought passion for God would stay without effort. I assumed the excitement I felt in those early days would carry me through every season. But over time I learned that passion without care becomes smoke. The fire that once burned so brightly can start to fade if we are not intentional.

In the Old Testament, the altar was a physical place where sacrifices were made and God’s presence was honored. The priests were instructed to keep the fire burning at all times. Every morning they added fresh wood, prepared the offering, and made sure the flame did not go out.

Today, the altar is not made of stone or wood. It is in our hearts. It is the inner place where we meet with God, surrender our lives to Him, and offer everything we are. Just like the priests, we are called to keep the fire burning.

For new believers, this may feel like a new concept. Think of the fire as your connection to God through prayer, worship, time in His Word, and obedience to what He asks of you. For those who have walked with Him for years, you know the truth. You cannot survive on yesterday’s flame. Faith has to be alive, growing, and fed daily.

When the fire fades
When the fire in our hearts is left unattended, it does not go out instantly. It fades quietly until all that is left is smoke — the memory of what once was. You might still go to church and know the words to the worship songs, but inside you feel distant. You may be moving in your own strength instead of His.

God never designed our relationship with Him to be seasonal or occasional. He wants us to have a personal, daily fire that keeps us strong in trials, anchored in peace, and filled with supernatural energy that only comes from Him. Hebrews 12:29 reminds us that our God is a consuming fire. That fire is meant to fill our hearts and shape our desires so we can walk fully in His will.

How to keep your spiritual fire burning

1. Return to the altar daily
   Set aside time each day to meet with God. It can be reading Scripture over coffee, worshipping in your home, or taking a quiet walk to pray and listen. The location is not what matters. Your focus and surrender to Him is.

2. Remove the old to make room for the new
   Hebrews 12:1 tells us to strip off every weight that slows us down. This means letting go of sin, old routines, old victories, and even good things that keep us from what God has for us now.

3. Fan the flame of your spiritual gifts
   In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flames the gift of God. Spiritual gifts grow stronger with use, not neglect. Serve where you are called, encourage others, share your testimony, and let God use you.

4. Stay consistent
   Psalm 5:3 says, “Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” Meeting with God regularly builds intimacy. Intimacy keeps the fire alive.

If you are new to faith
Start small but steady. Read a few verses each day. Pray in your own words. Play worship music in your home. You will find that God meets you in these moments.

If you have walked with Him for years
Ask Him to show you areas that need rekindling. This might mean fasting, mentoring someone, studying Scripture more deeply, or stepping into a new area of service. Growth requires fresh wood on the fire.

God is not asking for perfection. He is looking for hearts that keep coming back to the altar. When we do, He fans the flame, fuels the fire, and fills us with His presence.

So I ask you today. Where is your altar? Is your fire still burning?