Contemplative/Mystical Illustrations
Union with God, contemplative prayer, apophatic theology.
Key question: “How does this text invite us into deeper union with God?”
10346 illustrations found
On This Day: Nikita Khrushchev becomes Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet... (1958)
On March 27, 1958: Nikita Khrushchev becomes Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through th...
On This Day: First Taranaki War: The Battle of Waireka begins. (1860)
On March 28, 1860: First Taranaki War: The Battle of Waireka begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. Consider using it when...
On This Day: Russia and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Gandamak establishing an Afghan... (1879)
On May 26, 1879: Russia and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Gandamak establishing an Afghan state. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and i...
On This Day: First Barbary War: The Barbary pirates of Tripoli declare war on the United... (1801)
On May 10, 1801: First Barbary War: The Barbary pirates of Tripoli declare war on the United States of America. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation ...
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Hürtgen Forest begins. It will become the... (1944)
On September 19, 1944: World War II: The Battle of Hürtgen Forest begins. It will become the second-longest individual battle that the U.S. Army has ever fought. This historical event can serve as a ...
On This Day: Edward I of England returns from the Ninth Crusade and is crowned King seventeen... (1274)
On August 2, 1274: Edward I of England returns from the Ninth Crusade and is crowned King seventeen days later. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadershi...
On This Day: In Hollywood, the first Academy Awards ceremony takes place. (1929)
On May 16, 1929: In Hollywood, the first Academy Awards ceremony takes place. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. Consider usin...
On This Day: Flanders Campaign: France completes its conquest of the Austrian Netherlands at... (1794)
On September 17, 1794: Flanders Campaign: France completes its conquest of the Austrian Netherlands at the Battle of Sprimont. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about ...
On This Day: The Treaty of Lodi is signed, establishing a balance of power among northern... (1454)
On April 9, 1454: The Treaty of Lodi is signed, establishing a balance of power among northern Italian city-states for almost 50 years. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrati...
On This Day: The Treaty of Paris, ratified by the United States Congress on January 14, 1784,... (1784)
On April 9, 1784: The Treaty of Paris, ratified by the United States Congress on January 14, 1784, is ratified by King George III of the Kingdom of Great Britain, ending the American Revolutionary War....
On This Day: American Civil War: Battle of Raymond: Two divisions of James B. McPherson's... (1863)
On May 12, 1863: American Civil War: Battle of Raymond: Two divisions of James B. McPherson's XVII Corps turn the left wing of Confederate General John C. Pemberton's defensive line on Fourteen Mile C...
On This Day: World War II: The Greek government and King George II evacuate Athens before the... (1941)
On April 23, 1941: World War II: The Greek government and King George II evacuate Athens before the invading Wehrmacht. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly l...
On This Day: In the Papal States, Cardinal Michelangelo dei Conti is elected Pope, and takes... (1721)
On May 8, 1721: In the Papal States, Cardinal Michelangelo dei Conti is elected Pope, and takes the name Innocent XIII. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...
On This Day: World War II: German-occupied Denmark scuttles most of its navy; Germany... (1943)
On August 29, 1943: World War II: German-occupied Denmark scuttles most of its navy; Germany dissolves the Danish government. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about g...
On This Day: World War II: German fighters accidentally bomb the German city of Freiburg. (1940)
On May 10, 1940: World War II: German fighters accidentally bomb the German city of Freiburg. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events ...
On This Day: Maria Theresa of Austria is crowned Queen of Bohemia after defeating her rival,... (1743)
On May 12, 1743: Maria Theresa of Austria is crowned Queen of Bohemia after defeating her rival, Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abo...
On This Day: Approximately 7,100 brewery workers in Milwaukee perform a walkout, marking the... (1953)
On May 14, 1953: Approximately 7,100 brewery workers in Milwaukee perform a walkout, marking the start of the 1953 Milwaukee brewery strike. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illus...
On This Day: Wilhelm Röntgen publishes a paper detailing his discovery of a new type of... (1895)
On December 28, 1895: Wilhelm Röntgen publishes a paper detailing his discovery of a new type of radiation, which later will be known as x-rays. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon i...
On This Day: Settlers make a land run for prime land in the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. (1893)
On September 16, 1893: Settlers make a land run for prime land in the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's call to courage in the ...
On This Day: War of 1812: Battle of New Orleans: Andrew Jackson leads American forces in... (1815)
On January 8, 1815: War of 1812: Battle of New Orleans: Andrew Jackson leads American forces in victory over the British. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how G...
On This Day: Lebanon War: The Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon takes place. (1982)
On September 16, 1982: Lebanon War: The Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon takes place. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of ...
On This Day: World War I: The Siege of Przemyśl (present-day Poland) begins. (1914)
On September 16, 1914: World War I: The Siege of Przemyśl (present-day Poland) begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of hist...
On This Day: The Chinese Communist Party issues the "May 16 Notice", marking the beginning of... (1966)
On May 16, 1966: The Chinese Communist Party issues the "May 16 Notice", marking the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godl...
On This Day: Second relief of Lucknow: Twenty-four Victoria Crosses are awarded, the most in... (1857)
On November 16, 1857: Second relief of Lucknow: Twenty-four Victoria Crosses are awarded, the most in a single day. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about showing Chr...