First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
In a perfect world, prayer should have been enough
to win a quiet life in peace, in godliness and dignity.
In a perfect world, the Emperor would offer thanks for prayer,
would offer to his subjects tranquil peace.
But it is not a perfect world, now is it, Paul?
Instead of peace, the emperor presented you a sword,
and not to hold. It stilled your tongue, your pen,
your breath, and yes, your prayers.
We struggle still to pray for those who persecute
our neighbors and ourselves, whose hands
retain their firmest grip upon the sword, and strike
the pen, the lips, the breath, the prayers from us.
A poem/prayer based on 1 Timothy 2:1-7, the Revised Common Lectionary Second Reading for Year C, Proper 20 (25).
The image is of the mosaic including the beheading of Saint Paul in the Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily (ca. late 12th early 13th centuries). Photo by Holger Uwe Schmitt – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128492483.
ordainedgeek 
Not a post to “like” but that is the only choice. Thank you. Just thank you.
You’re welcome, Maren.
Thank you for making these powerful connections that reveal the irony in the pious hopes of the letter. Yet prayer must go on for there to be hope of a peaceable life, godliness and dignity.
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Yes, indeed. Much prayer. Much action.