Violence will disappear from your land;
    the desolation and destruction of war will end.
Salvation will surround you like city walls,
    and praise will be on the lips of all who enter there. (New Living Translation).

Psalm 46:9 reads: ”He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

Clearly, today’s text in Isaiah anticipates a future time when there will be an end to all wars, in the fullness of the Kingdom of God. We cannot do other than long for it. But for today, let’s pray for peace in settings where ”violence” and ”destruction” rage (and want to reign). They cannot finally win, for the ‘Prince of Peace’ is coming.