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 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: 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: 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: Edmund Burke publishes Reflections on the Revolution in France, in which he... (1790)
On November 1, 1790: Edmund Burke publishes Reflections on the Revolution in France, in which he predicts that the French Revolution will end in a disaster. This historical event can serve as a power...
On This Day: Civil rights movement: A jury in Birmingham, Alabama, convicts former Ku Klux... (2002)
On May 22, 2002: Civil rights movement: A jury in Birmingham, Alabama, convicts former Ku Klux Klan member Bobby Frank Cherry of the 1963 murder of four girls in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing....
On This Day: Empress Matilda's reign as 'Lady of the English' ends with Stephen of Blois... (1141)
On November 1, 1141: Empress Matilda's reign as 'Lady of the English' ends with Stephen of Blois regaining the title of 'King of England'. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustr...
On This Day: World War I: The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) departed by ship in a single... (1914)
On November 1, 1914: World War I: The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) departed by ship in a single convoy from Albany, Western Australia bound for Egypt. This historical event can serve as a powerful...
On This Day: World War II: Paris is liberated by the Allies. (1944)
On August 25, 1944: World War II: Paris is liberated by the Allies. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when ...
On This Day: Portuguese and Brazilian diplomats sign the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro, which has... (1825)
On August 29, 1825: Portuguese and Brazilian diplomats sign the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro, which has Portugal recognise Brazilian independence, formally ending the Brazilian War of Independence. The tr...
On This Day: Lahti, a city in Finland, is granted city rights by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia,... (1905)
On November 1, 1905: Lahti, a city in Finland, is granted city rights by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the last Grand Duke of Finland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration ...
On This Day: World War I: Allied troops break through the Bulgarian defenses on the... (1918)
On September 15, 1918: World War I: Allied troops break through the Bulgarian defenses on the Macedonian front. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works t...
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: The Franco-American Siege of Savannah begins. (1779)
On September 16, 1779: American Revolutionary War: The Franco-American Siege of Savannah begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the even...
On This Day: World War I: The Siege of Przemyśl (present-day Poland) begins. (1914)
On September 16, 1914: World War I: The Siege of Przemyśl (present-day Poland) begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of hist...
On This Day: Lebanon War: The Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon takes place. (1982)
On September 16, 1982: Lebanon War: The Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon takes place. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of ...
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: In Hollywood, the first Academy Awards ceremony takes place. (1929)
On May 16, 1929: In Hollywood, the first Academy Awards ceremony takes place. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. Consider usin...
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: 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: 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: American Revolutionary War: The invasion of Quebec by the Continental Army... (1775)
On September 17, 1775: American Revolutionary War: The invasion of Quebec by the Continental Army begins with the Siege of Fort St. Jean. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra...