2Ti 1:6 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, (ESV)
As a young man growing in the village, I learned how to light charcoal stove and keep it going. Now lighting charcoal took time and technique. Once a few caught fire, we had to fan air through an opening into the little flame to get it going. The goal was to try to ignite others until most of the coals caught fire and burned without additional help.
This is literally what Paul is telling Timothy to do. The young evangelist was becoming daunted by the gathering difficulties of the time, this weakened his faith and effectiveness. The fire was already present but somehow showing the signs of dying. The instructions was to add more coals and fan them into flame. That is the gift of God, all the spiritual gifts, which the grace of God had given him. The Lord speaking by letter to the church in Sardis had a rebuke, ”I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Rev 3:1) that was not everyone but the majority of the church. Whosoever’s coals of fire were weak He says, “Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.” (Rev 3:1). Timothy compared to Paul was just too young to quit. His work was not complete to stand toe to toe with Apostle Paul who at this point of his life could say to him, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2Ti 4:7). If your gifts and service are dying or dormant, prayers, the word and fellowship are the main means to fan the flame.