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: Henry of Navarre abjures Catholicism at Tours and rejoins the Protestant forces... (1576)
On February 5, 1576: Henry of Navarre abjures Catholicism at Tours and rejoins the Protestant forces in the French Wars of Religion. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst in Berkeley, California. (1974)
On February 4, 1974: The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst in Berkeley, California. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liber
On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: The French Grande Armée enters Moscow. The Fire of Moscow... (1812)
On September 14, 1812: Napoleonic Wars: The French Grande Armée enters Moscow. The Fire of Moscow begins as soon as Russian troops leave the city. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: The first two German post-war rockets, designed by the German engineer Ernst... (1958)
On September 14, 1958: The first two German post-war rockets, designed by the German engineer Ernst Mohr, reach the upper atmosphere. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as a personal possession. (1885)
On February 5, 1885: King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as a personal possession. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: General George Washington and the Continental Army... (1776)
On December 25, 1776: American Revolutionary War: General George Washington and the Continental Army cross the Delaware River at night to attack Hessian forces serving Great Britain at Trenton, New Je
On This Day: Roger of Salerno's Crusader army defeats a numerically superior Seljuk army in... (1115)
On September 14, 1115: Roger of Salerno's Crusader army defeats a numerically superior Seljuk army in the battle of Sarmin This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how
On This Day: Mutiny on Royal Netherlands Navy warship HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën off the coast... (1933)
On February 5, 1933: Mutiny on Royal Netherlands Navy warship HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën off the coast of Sumatra, Dutch East Indies. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: At the Battle of Großbeeren, the Prussians under Von Bülow repulse the French... (1813)
On August 23, 1813: At the Battle of Großbeeren, the Prussians under Von Bülow repulse the French army. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through t
On This Day: George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, is assassinated by John Felton. (1628)
On August 23, 1628: George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, is assassinated by John Felton. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its imp
On This Day: A group of early Japanese Christians are killed by the new government of Japan... (1597)
On February 5, 1597: A group of early Japanese Christians are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermo
On This Day: Cold War: Albania leaves the Warsaw Pact. (1968)
On September 13, 1968: Cold War: Albania leaves the Warsaw Pact. 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: American Revolutionary War: Review of the French troops under General Rochambeau... (1782)
On September 14, 1782: American Revolutionary War: Review of the French troops under General Rochambeau by General George Washington at Verplanck's Point, New York. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: Death of Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's coffin is taken from Buckingham Palace,... (2022)
On September 14, 2022: Death of Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's coffin is taken from Buckingham Palace, placed on a gun carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and moved in a procession to
On This Day: Battle of Sobota: The Swedish Empire led by Charles X Gustav defeats the... (1655)
On August 23, 1655: Battle of Sobota: The Swedish Empire led by Charles X Gustav defeats the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about ho
On This Day: Battle of Gifu Castle: The eastern forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu defeat the western... (1600)
On August 23, 1600: Battle of Gifu Castle: The eastern forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu defeat the western Japanese clans loyal to Toyotomi Hideyori, leading to the destruction of Gifu Castle and serving as
On This Day: World War II: German forces capture Banská Bystrica during Slovak National... (1944)
On October 27, 1944: World War II: German forces capture Banská Bystrica during Slovak National Uprising thus bringing it to an end. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: King George III delivers his Proclamation of... (1775)
On August 23, 1775: American Revolutionary War: King George III delivers his Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St James's stating that the American colonies have proceeded to a state of open a
On This Day: Long Turkish War: Wallachian prince Michael the Brave confronts the Ottoman army... (1595)
On August 23, 1595: Long Turkish War: Wallachian prince Michael the Brave confronts the Ottoman army in the Battle of Călugăreni and achieves a tactical victory. This historical event can serve as a
On This Day: French Wars of Religion: Mob violence against thousands of Huguenots in Paris... (1572)
On August 23, 1572: French Wars of Religion: Mob violence against thousands of Huguenots in Paris results in the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon i
On This Day: Ladislaus the Posthumous is crowned king of Bohemia in Prague. (1453)
On October 28, 1453: Ladislaus the Posthumous is crowned king of Bohemia in Prague. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider u
On This Day: The Battle of Chaldiran ends with a decisive victory for the Sultan Selim I,... (1514)
On August 23, 1514: The Battle of Chaldiran ends with a decisive victory for the Sultan Selim I, Ottoman Empire, over the Shah Ismail I, founder of the Safavid dynasty. This historical event can serv
On This Day: Battle of Cassel: French troops stop an uprising of Flemish farmers. (1328)
On August 23, 1328: Battle of Cassel: French troops stop an uprising of Flemish farmers. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of hi
On This Day: Second Sino-Japanese War: Harbin, Manchuria, falls to Japan. (1932)
On February 4, 1932: Second Sino-Japanese War: Harbin, Manchuria, falls to Japan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.