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: World War II: The Battle of Stalingrad comes to an end when Soviet troops accept... (1943)
On February 2, 1943: World War II: The Battle of Stalingrad comes to an end when Soviet troops accept the surrender of the last organized German troops in the city. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: King George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763, closing Indigenous lands... (1763)
On October 7, 1763: King George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763, closing Indigenous lands in North America north and west of the Alleghenies to white settlements. This historical event can
On This Day: The siege of Mantua ends after eight months when Count Dagobert Sigmund von... (1797)
On February 2, 1797: The siege of Mantua ends after eight months when Count Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser surrenders the fortress of Mantua to Napoleon Bonaparte. The fall of Mantua secures French cont
On This Day: Willem II becomes King of the Netherlands. (1840)
On October 7, 1840: Willem II becomes King of the Netherlands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preachin
On This Day: The Tartu Peace Treaty is signed between Estonia and Russia. (1920)
On February 2, 1920: The Tartu Peace Treaty is signed between Estonia and Russia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consi
On This Day: Franco-Prussian War: Léon Gambetta escapes the siege of Paris in a hot-air... (1870)
On October 7, 1870: Franco-Prussian War: Léon Gambetta escapes the siege of Paris in a hot-air balloon. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through t
On This Day: Mexican-American War: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed. (1848)
On February 2, 1848: Mexican-American War: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. C
On This Day: Mladen II Šubić of Bribir is deposed as the Croatian Ban after the Battle of... (1322)
On October 8, 1322: Mladen II Šubić of Bribir is deposed as the Croatian Ban after the Battle of Bliska. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through
On This Day: The ferry MV Rabaul Queen sinks off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the... (2012)
On February 2, 2012: The ferry MV Rabaul Queen sinks off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the Finschhafen District, with an estimated 146-165 dead. This historical event can serve as a powerful ser
On This Day: The first session of the Council of Chalcedon begins. (451)
On October 8, 451: The first session of the Council of Chalcedon begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. Consider using it
On This Day: The Portuguese navy defeats a joint fleet of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of... (1509)
On February 3, 1509: The Portuguese navy defeats a joint fleet of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Venice, the Sultan of Gujarat, the Mamlûk Burji Sultanate of Egypt, the Zamorin of Calicut, and th
On This Day: The Treaty of Ried is signed between Bavaria and Austria. (1813)
On October 8, 1813: The Treaty of Ried is signed between Bavaria and Austria. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider
On This Day: Battle of São Vicente takes place off Portuguese Brazil where three English... (1583)
On February 3, 1583: Battle of São Vicente takes place off Portuguese Brazil where three English warships led by navigator Edward Fenton fight off three Spanish galleons sinking one in the process. T
On This Day: The Peruvian Navy is established during the War of Independence. (1821)
On October 8, 1821: The Peruvian Navy is established during the War of Independence. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consid
On This Day: During the Battle of Fraustadt Swedish forces defeat a superior... (1706)
On February 3, 1706: During the Battle of Fraustadt Swedish forces defeat a superior Saxon-Polish-Russian force by deploying a double envelopment. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: Seven Years' War: Russian and Austrian troops briefly occupy Berlin. (1760)
On October 9, 1760: Seven Years' War: Russian and Austrian troops briefly occupy Berlin. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of hi
On This Day: Soviet-Afghan War: The last Soviet armoured column leaves Kabul. (1989)
On February 2, 1989: Soviet-Afghan War: The last Soviet armoured column leaves Kabul. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of histo
On This Day: War of 1812: The United States Revenue Marine attempts to defend the cutter... (1814)
On October 10, 1814: War of 1812: The United States Revenue Marine attempts to defend the cutter Eagle from the Royal Navy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: British forces seize the Dutch-owned Caribbean... (1781)
On February 3, 1781: American Revolutionary War: British forces seize the Dutch-owned Caribbean island Sint Eustatius. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God
On This Day: War of 1812: In a naval engagement on Lake Erie, American forces capture two... (1812)
On October 9, 1812: War of 1812: In a naval engagement on Lake Erie, American forces capture two British ships: HMS Detroit and HMS Caledonia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill
On This Day: After the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Philippines enacts a new... (1987)
On February 2, 1987: After the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Philippines enacts a new constitution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through t
On This Day: Guayaquil declares independence from Spain. (1820)
On October 9, 1820: Guayaquil declares independence from Spain. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when prea
On This Day: The Burmese military establishes the State Administration Council, the military... (2021)
On February 2, 2021: The Burmese military establishes the State Administration Council, the military junta, after deposing the democratically elected government in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. This
On This Day: The European Union wins the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. (2012)
On October 12, 2012: The European Union wins the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider using