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: A bomb explodes at a concert in Minsk's Independence Square, injuring 50 people. (2008)
On July 4, 2008: A bomb explodes at a concert in Minsk's Independence Square, injuring 50 people. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liber...
On This Day: King George II of Great Britain grants the Ohio Company a charter of land around... (1749)
On May 19, 1749: King George II of Great Britain grants the Ohio Company a charter of land around the forks of the Ohio River. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about ...
On This Day: The Peace of Augsburg is signed by Emperor Charles V and the princes of the... (1555)
On September 25, 1555: The Peace of Augsburg is signed by Emperor Charles V and the princes of the Schmalkaldic League. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pur...
On This Day: Crown Prince Abdullah becomes the King of Jordan on the death of his father,... (1999)
On February 7, 1999: Crown Prince Abdullah becomes the King of Jordan on the death of his father, King Hussein. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadershi...
On This Day: An explosion of badly degraded propellant charges on board the French battleship... (1911)
On September 25, 1911: An explosion of badly degraded propellant charges on board the French battleship Liberté detonates the forward ammunition magazines and destroys the ship. This historical event...
On This Day: Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, unsuccessfully rebels against Queen... (1601)
On February 8, 1601: Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, unsuccessfully rebels against Queen Elizabeth I. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and ...
On This Day: American civil rights movement: Alabama Governor John Malcolm Patterson declares... (1961)
On May 21, 1961: American civil rights movement: Alabama Governor John Malcolm Patterson declares martial law in an attempt to restore order after race riots break out. This historical event can serv...
On This Day: Seventh Crusade: Crusaders engage Ayyubid forces in the Battle of Al Mansurah. (1250)
On February 8, 1250: Seventh Crusade: Crusaders engage Ayyubid forces in the Battle of Al Mansurah. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the e...
On This Day: World War I: Allied troops occupy Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman... (1918)
On November 13, 1918: World War I: Allied troops occupy Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works throug...
On This Day: Soviet Union enters ICAO, making Russian the fourth official language of... (1970)
On November 14, 1970: Soviet Union enters ICAO, making Russian the fourth official language of organization. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership a...
On This Day: The Convention of Artlenburg is signed, leading to the French occupation of the... (1803)
On July 5, 1803: The Convention of Artlenburg is signed, leading to the French occupation of the Electorate of Hanover (which had been ruled by the British king). This historical event can serve as a...
On This Day: King Philip II of Spain, consort of Queen Mary I of England, sets out from Dover... (1557)
On July 6, 1557: King Philip II of Spain, consort of Queen Mary I of England, sets out from Dover to war with France, which eventually resulted in the loss of the city of Calais, the last English possession on the continent, and Mary I never seeing her husband again....
On This Day: The Treaty of Edinburgh is signed by Scotland and England. (1560)
On July 6, 1560: The Treaty of Edinburgh is signed by Scotland and England. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider us...
On This Day: The Capture of Fort Rocher takes place during the Anglo-Spanish War. (1654)
On February 9, 1654: The Capture of Fort Rocher takes place during the Anglo-Spanish War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of h...
On This Day: Arab-Byzantine wars: Antioch surrenders to the Rashidun Caliphate after the... (637)
On October 30, 637: Arab-Byzantine wars: Antioch surrenders to the Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of the Iron Bridge. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how ...
On This Day: Cold War: Spain joins NATO. (1982)
On May 30, 1982: Cold War: Spain joins NATO. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching abou...
On This Day: Odawa Chief Pontiac's forces defeat British troops at the Battle of Bloody Run... (1763)
On July 31, 1763: Odawa Chief Pontiac's forces defeat British troops at the Battle of Bloody Run during Pontiac's War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God ...
On This Day: Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian's... (30 BC)
On July 31, 30 BC: Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian's forces, but most of his army subsequently deserts, leading to his suicide. This historical event can serv...
On This Day: African American United States Army veteran Isaac Woodard is severely beaten by... (1946)
On February 12, 1946: African American United States Army veteran Isaac Woodard is severely beaten by a South Carolina police officer to the point where he loses his vision in both eyes. The incident ...
On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Champaubert ends in French victory over the... (1814)
On February 10, 1814: Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Champaubert ends in French victory over the Russians and the Prussians. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about ho...
On This Day: The Battle of Płowce is fought, between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic... (1331)
On September 27, 1331: The Battle of Płowce is fought, between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. The Poles are defeated but their leaders escape capture. This historical event can serve a...
On This Day: The armies of Sweden are defeated by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the... (1605)
On September 27, 1605: The armies of Sweden are defeated by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the Battle of Kircholm. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how G...
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: Russo-Turkish War (1877-78): Battle of Philippopolis: Captain Aleksandr Burago... (1878)
On January 16, 1878: Russo-Turkish War (1877-78): Battle of Philippopolis: Captain Aleksandr Burago with a squadron of Russian Imperial army dragoons liberates Plovdiv from Ottoman rule. This histori...