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: The first American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, is canonized by Pope Paul VI. (1975)
On September 14, 1975: The first American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, is canonized by Pope Paul VI. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human di...
On This Day: Lawrence, Kansas is captured and burned by pro-slavery forces. (1856)
On May 21, 1856: Lawrence, Kansas is captured and burned by pro-slavery forces. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the dignity and worth of every person made in G...
On This Day: The Ottoman Empire signs the Treaty of Adrianople with Russia, thus ending the... (1829)
On September 14, 1829: The Ottoman Empire signs the Treaty of Adrianople with Russia, thus ending the Russo-Turkish War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pu...
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: 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: 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: Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France. (1774)
On May 10, 1774: Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider usin...
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: 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: John II of Castile defeats the Infantes of Aragon at the First Battle of Olmedo. (1445)
On May 19, 1445: John II of Castile defeats the Infantes of Aragon at the First Battle of Olmedo. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human disc...
On This Day: Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II. (1987)
On May 11, 1987: Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the eve...
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 Thai Phayap Army invades the Shan States during the Burma... (1942)
On May 10, 1942: World War II: The Thai Phayap Army invades the Shan States during the Burma Campaign. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through th...
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: Second Northern War: Battle of Warsaw begins. (1656)
On July 28, 1656: Second Northern War: Battle of Warsaw begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it ...
On This Day: The 1926 United Kingdom general strike ends. (1926)
On May 12, 1926: The 1926 United Kingdom general strike ends. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching...
On This Day: Mindon Min was crowned as King of Burma in Mandalay, Burma. (1857)
On May 14, 1857: Mindon Min was crowned as King of Burma in Mandalay, Burma. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it...
On This Day: French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre proposes the Self-denying Ordinance. (1791)
On May 15, 1791: French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre proposes the Self-denying Ordinance. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the event...
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: 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: Seven Years' War formally begins when Great Britain declares war on France. (1756)
On May 17, 1756: Seven Years' War formally begins when Great Britain declares war on France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events o...
On This Day: World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium. (1940)
On May 17, 1940: World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using ...
On This Day: Second Boer War: British troops relieve Mafeking. (1900)
On May 19, 1900: Second Boer War: British troops relieve Mafeking. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when prea...
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...