Contemplative/Mystical Illustrations
Union with God, contemplative prayer, apophatic theology.
Key question: “How does this text invite us into deeper union with God?”
14086 illustrations found
On This Day: The First Kingdom of Greece is declared in the London Conference. (1832)
On May 24, 1832: The First Kingdom of Greece is declared in the London Conference. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider us
On This Day: Battle of Pichincha: Antonio José de Sucre secures the independence of the... (1822)
On May 24, 1822: Battle of Pichincha: Antonio José de Sucre secures the independence of the Presidency of Quito. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of fr
On This Day: World War II: Battle of the Atlantic: In the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the... (1941)
On May 24, 1941: World War II: Battle of the Atlantic: In the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the German battleship Bismarck sinks the pride of the Royal Navy, HMS Hood, killing all but three crewmen.
On This Day: The Norman conquest of England begins with the Battle of Hastings. (1066)
On October 14, 1066: The Norman conquest of England begins with the Battle of Hastings. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of his
On This Day: Seven Years' War: Frederick the Great suffers a rare defeat at the Battle of... (1758)
On October 14, 1758: Seven Years' War: Frederick the Great suffers a rare defeat at the Battle of Hochkirch. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works thro
On This Day: Liberation of Khorramshahr: Iranians recapture of the port city of Khorramshahr... (1982)
On May 24, 1982: Liberation of Khorramshahr: Iranians recapture of the port city of Khorramshahr from the Iraqis during the Iran-Iraq War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustr
On This Day: Ecuadorian president Jaime Roldós Aguilera, his wife, and his presidential... (1981)
On May 24, 1981: Ecuadorian president Jaime Roldós Aguilera, his wife, and his presidential committee die in an aircraft accident while travelling from Quito to Zapotillo minutes after the president g
On This Day: Eritrea gains its independence from Ethiopia. (1993)
On May 24, 1993: Eritrea gains its independence from Ethiopia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preac
On This Day: Russia and the United States sign the Moscow Treaty. (2002)
On May 24, 2002: Russia and the United States sign the Moscow Treaty. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider using it
On This Day: Mary, Queen of Scots, goes on trial for conspiracy against Queen Elizabeth I of... (1586)
On October 14, 1586: Mary, Queen of Scots, goes on trial for conspiracy against Queen Elizabeth I of England. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership
On This Day: Date traditionally ascribed to Dom Perignon's invention of champagne; it is not... (1693)
On August 4, 1693: Date traditionally ascribed to Dom Perignon's invention of champagne; it is not clear whether he actually invented champagne, however he has been credited as an innovator who develo
On This Day: A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland ends the Conojocular War with... (1738)
On May 25, 1738: A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland ends the Conojocular War with settlement of a boundary dispute and exchange of prisoners. This historical event can serve as a powerful ser
On This Day: May Revolution: Citizens of Buenos Aires expel Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de... (1810)
On May 25, 1810: May Revolution: Citizens of Buenos Aires expel Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros during the "May Week", starting the Argentine War of Independence. This historical event can serve
On This Day: World War II: The Soviet Riga Offensive captures the city. (1944)
On October 13, 1944: World War II: The Soviet Riga Offensive captures the city. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Co
On This Day: United Nations cease-fire takes effect in Kashmir from one minute before... (1949)
On January 1, 1949: United Nations cease-fire takes effect in Kashmir from one minute before midnight. War between India and Pakistan stops accordingly. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: England is left temporarily without a monarch after the death of King Edmund I... (946)
On May 26, 946: England is left temporarily without a monarch after the death of King Edmund I in a street fight, resulting in Edmund's brother Eadred assuming the throne for the minority of Edmund's
On This Day: War of 1812: The ultimately unsuccessful Siege of Fort Erie begins as British... (1814)
On August 4, 1814: War of 1812: The ultimately unsuccessful Siege of Fort Erie begins as British forces attempt to recapture the fort and drive American forces out of Canada. This historical event ca
On This Day: American Indian Wars: While protecting a railroad survey party in Montana, the... (1873)
On August 4, 1873: American Indian Wars: While protecting a railroad survey party in Montana, the United States 7th Cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer clashes for the first time
On This Day: The last major Danish army to raid England for nearly a century is defeated at... (910)
On August 5, 910: The last major Danish army to raid England for nearly a century is defeated at the Battle of Tettenhall by the allied forces of Mercia and Wessex, led by King Edward the Elder and Æt
On This Day: The Battle of Haarlemmermeer, a naval engagement in the Eighty Years' War. (1573)
On May 26, 1573: The Battle of Haarlemmermeer, a naval engagement in the Eighty Years' War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of
On This Day: Portuguese Restoration War: Portuguese and Spanish forces both claim victory in... (1644)
On May 26, 1644: Portuguese Restoration War: Portuguese and Spanish forces both claim victory in the Battle of Montijo. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the tra
On This Day: Napoléon Bonaparte assumes the title of King of Italy and is crowned with the... (1805)
On May 26, 1805: Napoléon Bonaparte assumes the title of King of Italy and is crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy in Milan Cathedral, the gothic cathedral in Milan. This historical event can serv
On This Day: Conclusion of the American Civil War: The Confederate General Edmund Kirby... (1865)
On May 26, 1865: Conclusion of the American Civil War: The Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith, commander of the Trans-Mississippi division, is the last full general of the Confederate Army to surr
On This Day: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed. (1964)
On June 2, 1964: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it w