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: Seabiscuit defeats War Admiral in an upset victory during a match race deemed... (1938)
On November 1, 1938: Seabiscuit defeats War Admiral in an upset victory during a match race deemed "the match of the century" in horse racing. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill...
On This Day: The Front de Libération Nationale fires the first shots of the Algerian War of... (1954)
On November 1, 1954: The Front de Libération Nationale fires the first shots of the Algerian War of Independence. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of f...
On This Day: World War II: First day of Battle of Elaia-Kalamas between the Greeks and the... (1940)
On November 2, 1940: World War II: First day of Battle of Elaia-Kalamas between the Greeks and the Italians. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and...
On This Day: Union of Brittany and France: The Duchy of Brittany is absorbed into the Kingdom... (1532)
On August 13, 1532: Union of Brittany and France: The Duchy of Brittany is absorbed into the Kingdom of France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadershi...
On This Day: The Ulster Volunteer Force declares war on the Irish Republican Army in Northern... (1966)
On May 21, 1966: The Ulster Volunteer Force declares war on the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works throug...
On This Day: The Balfour Declaration proclaims British support for the "establishment in... (1917)
On November 2, 1917: The Balfour Declaration proclaims British support for the "establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people" with the clear understanding "that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities"....
On This Day: The All Saints' Flood devastates the Dutch coast. (1570)
On November 1, 1570: The All Saints' Flood devastates the Dutch coast. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider us...
On This Day: The Democratic Republic of Yemen unsuccessfully attempts to secede from the... (1994)
On May 21, 1994: The Democratic Republic of Yemen unsuccessfully attempts to secede from the Republic of Yemen; a war breaks out. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abo...
On This Day: John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek,... (1856)
On May 24, 1856: John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the dignity and worth of ev...
On This Day: Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people. (1938)
On May 25, 1938: Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Cons...
On This Day: Thirteen Years' War: In the Battle of Chojnice, the Polish army is defeated by... (1454)
On September 18, 1454: Thirteen Years' War: In the Battle of Chojnice, the Polish army is defeated by the Teutonic knights. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...
On This Day: Hungarian Revolution of 1956: A Revolutionary Headquarters is established in... (1956)
On October 31, 1956: Hungarian Revolution of 1956: A Revolutionary Headquarters is established in Hungary. Following Imre Nagy's announcement of October 30, banned non-Communist political parties are ...
On This Day: The Kingdom of Hungary is admitted to the League of Nations. (1922)
On September 18, 1922: The Kingdom of Hungary is admitted to the League of Nations. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider u...
On This Day: Jackie Robinson of the Kansas City Monarchs signs a contract for the Brooklyn... (1945)
On October 30, 1945: Jackie Robinson of the Kansas City Monarchs signs a contract for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking the baseball color line. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illu...
On This Day: Falklands War: the British Army defeats the Argentine Army at the Battle of... (1982)
On May 29, 1982: Falklands War: the British Army defeats the Argentine Army at the Battle of Goose Green. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through...
On This Day: The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is held at... (2022)
On September 19, 2022: The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is held at Westminster Abbey, London. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godl...
On This Day: Karol Wojtyła (later John Paul II) is made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. (1967)
On June 26, 1967: Karol Wojtyła (later John Paul II) is made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of hi...
On This Day: World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary... (1942)
On May 15, 1942: World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is signed into law. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abou...
On This Day: World War II: Airdrops of food begin over German-occupied regions of the... (1945)
On April 29, 1945: World War II: Airdrops of food begin over German-occupied regions of the Netherlands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through ...
On This Day: The House of Commons of the United Kingdom passes the Home Rule Bill for... (1914)
On May 25, 1914: The House of Commons of the United Kingdom passes the Home Rule Bill for devolution in Ireland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadersh...
On This Day: At least 113 people die in the Grue Church fire, the biggest fire disaster in... (1822)
On May 26, 1822: At least 113 people die in the Grue Church fire, the biggest fire disaster in Norway's history. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring n...
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: World War II: The German battleship Bismarck is sunk in the North Atlantic,... (1941)
On May 27, 1941: World War II: The German battleship Bismarck is sunk in the North Atlantic, killing almost 2,100 men. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God ...
On This Day: Second Sino-Japanese War: The Chinese Army withdraws from the Battle of... (1937)
On November 9, 1937: Second Sino-Japanese War: The Chinese Army withdraws from the Battle of Shanghai. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through th...