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: American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia... (1864)
On May 15, 1864: American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the Confederate army to force Union General Franz Sigel out of the Shenandoah Valley....
On This Day: The Sicilian revolution of 1848 is finally extinguished. (1849)
On May 15, 1849: The Sicilian revolution of 1848 is finally extinguished. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider...
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: 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: Anne of Denmark is crowned Queen of Scotland. (1590)
On May 17, 1590: Anne of Denmark is crowned Queen of Scotland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preachin...
On This Day: Battle of Rovine: The Wallachians defeat an invading Ottoman army. (1395)
On May 17, 1395: Battle of Rovine: The Wallachians defeat an invading Ottoman army. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history...
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: 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: Seneca warriors defeat British forces at the Battle of Devil's Hole during... (1763)
On September 14, 1763: Seneca warriors defeat British forces at the Battle of Devil's Hole during Pontiac's War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works ...
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: The Second Battle of Athenry takes place near Athenry during the Bruce campaign... (1316)
On August 10, 1316: The Second Battle of Athenry takes place near Athenry during the Bruce campaign in Ireland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works t...
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: Union of Brittany and France: The Duchy of Brittany is absorbed into the Kingdom... (1532)
On August 13, 1532: Union of Brittany and France: The Duchy of Brittany is absorbed into the Kingdom of France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadershi...
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 All Saints' Flood devastates the Dutch coast. (1570)
On November 1, 1570: The All Saints' Flood devastates the Dutch coast. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider us...
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: Battle of Famars during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition. (1793)
On May 23, 1793: Battle of Famars during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human disc...
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: Raniero is elected as Pope Paschal II, who would become deeply entangled in the... (1099)
On August 13, 1099: Raniero is elected as Pope Paschal II, who would become deeply entangled in the Investiture Controversy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about ho...
On This Day: The Battle of Bembezi took place and was the most decisive battle won by the... (1893)
On November 1, 1893: The Battle of Bembezi took place and was the most decisive battle won by the British in the First Matabele War of 1893. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illus...
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: Prelude to the 2008 financial crisis: Northern Rock bank experiences the first... (2007)
On September 14, 2007: Prelude to the 2008 financial crisis: Northern Rock bank experiences the first bank run in the United Kingdom in 150 years. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon...
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 II: The Soviet Union introduces conscription for all males between the... (1941)
On September 18, 1941: World War II: The Soviet Union introduces conscription for all males between the ages of 16 and 50. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...