He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 

Isaiah 2:4, NIV

In a year marked by the waging of a devastating war in Ukraine and countless acts of gun violence in the United States, the utopic vision of peace that emerges in these words from the prophet Isaiah can feel more like a laughable fantasy than a picture of a possible reality. Nonetheless, this prophetic vision invites us to imagine a world in which the armed services, military action and gun ownership cease to exist. 

If this description of the text sounds overly political, that’s only because Isaiah himself describes peace in such political terms. The prophet is not simply painting a cozy picture of lions lying down with lambs. Rather, he is calling for a reality marked by the demolition of weapons and the dismantling of military infrastructure. These are words that would have been as likely to provoke discomfort in ancient time as they are today. Yet, for those who truly trust in God, this vision of peace bids us to take action that would make this vision a reality. 

Prayer Guide:

1. Take some time to pray about how God might be asking you to act for peace today. 
2. How can you encourage your local, regional and national politicians to pursue actions that lead to peace? 
3. How can you support nonviolent responses to disputes and aggression?