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 Battle of Oulart Hill takes place in Wexford, Ireland; Irish rebel leaders... (1798)
On May 27, 1798: The Battle of Oulart Hill takes place in Wexford, Ireland; Irish rebel leaders defeat and kill a detachment of militia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat...
On This Day: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaims an "unlimited... (1941)
On May 27, 1941: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaims an "unlimited national emergency". This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadersh...
On This Day: World War II: Operation Market Garden results in the liberation of Eindhoven. (1944)
On September 18, 1944: World War II: Operation Market Garden results in the liberation of Eindhoven. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and li...
On This Day: A stampede at Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, leads to the death... (1902)
On September 19, 1902: A stampede at Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, leads to the death of 115 attendees. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the end...
On This Day: A solar eclipse occurs, as predicted by the Greek philosopher and scientist... (585 BC)
On May 28, 585 BC: A solar eclipse occurs, as predicted by the Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Cyaxares in the Battle of the Eclipse, leading to a truce. This is one...
On This Day: Battle of Legnano: The Lombard League defeats Emperor Frederick I. (1176)
On May 29, 1176: Battle of Legnano: The Lombard League defeats Emperor Frederick I. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history...
On This Day: World War II: One thousand British bombers launch a 90-minute attack on Cologne,... (1942)
On May 30, 1942: World War II: One thousand British bombers launch a 90-minute attack on Cologne, Germany. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works throug...
On This Day: The Nigerian Eastern Region declares independence as the Republic of Biafra,... (1967)
On May 30, 1967: The Nigerian Eastern Region declares independence as the Republic of Biafra, sparking a civil war. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of...
On This Day: Battle of Poitiers: An English army under the command of Edward the Black Prince... (1356)
On September 19, 1356: Battle of Poitiers: An English army under the command of Edward the Black Prince defeats a French army and captures King John II. This historical event can serve as a powerful ...
On This Day: The Compact of Free Association becomes law, granting the Federated States of... (1986)
On November 3, 1986: The Compact of Free Association becomes law, granting the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands independence from the United States. This historical event can s...
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: The arrival at Plymouth of Tāwhiao, King of Maoris, to claim the protection of... (1884)
On May 31, 1884: The arrival at Plymouth of Tāwhiao, King of Maoris, to claim the protection of Queen Victoria. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadershi...
On This Day: War of 1812: U.S. President James Madison asks the Congress to declare war on... (1812)
On June 1, 1812: War of 1812: U.S. President James Madison asks the Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leader...
On This Day: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty comes into effect. (1988)
On June 1, 1988: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty comes into effect. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consid...
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: World War II: The Battle of Hürtgen Forest begins. It will become the... (1944)
On September 19, 1944: World War II: The Battle of Hürtgen Forest begins. It will become the second-longest individual battle that the U.S. Army has ever fought. This historical event can serve as a ...
On This Day: The Treaty of Ryswick is signed by France, England, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire... (1697)
On September 20, 1697: The Treaty of Ryswick is signed by France, England, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the Dutch Republic, ending the Nine Years' War. This historical event can serve as a powerf...
On This Day: Crimean War: British and French troops defeat Russians at the Battle of Alma. (1854)
On September 20, 1854: Crimean War: British and French troops defeat Russians at the Battle of Alma. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the ...
On This Day: John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek,... (1856)
On May 24, 1856: John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the dignity and worth of ev...
On This Day: First Crusade: The first Siege of Antioch ends as Crusader forces take the city;... (1098)
On June 2, 1098: First Crusade: The first Siege of Antioch ends as Crusader forces take the city; the second siege began five days later. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra...
On This Day: Armenia gains independence from the Soviet Union. (1991)
On September 21, 1991: Armenia gains independence from the Soviet Union. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it ...
On This Day: King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia abdicates his throne in favor of his... (1802)
On June 4, 1802: King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia abdicates his throne in favor of his brother, Victor Emmanuel. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly lead...
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: The New York Post Sunday Magazine publishes Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from... (1963)
On May 19, 1963: The New York Post Sunday Magazine publishes Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leader...