tunesmyth

An anonymous commenter has just left a prayer request in error on a post from five months ago:

Prayer request for everyone affected by the wildfires that swept through West Maui. May everyone find the strength to continue each day and may everyone missing loved ones be reunited with them.

I replied there, but as it seems to me there is a fair chance that they'll check for the response here, I'll copy my reply here as well:

Hello,

Just to let you know, somehow you've left your comment on a five month old post, instead of the most recent one, which can always be found at: https://tunesmyth.dreamwidth.org/tag/prayer+list

As regards your prayer suggestion for those affected by the Maui wildfires, I need to say that, depending on your connection with the Maui events, there is the possibility that I cannot accept it for the prayer list. Your post actually made me go and review my reasonings for my policy on the matter, but having done so it still remains unchanged: because this prayer list operates principally on the foundation of consent, when it comes to praying for groups of people, the prayer must come from someone who is a member of that group. So, for instance, while we have long kept a prayer on the list in support of the people, animals, and all living things in and around East Palestine, Ohio, this prayer comes from an individual who grew up there and who provides us with occasional on-the-ground updates.

It somewhat pains me to say that, as of course I'd like to help as many people as I can; but it also feels like right answer to me. If you have some similar connection with Maui, I'll be happy to add your prayer request. I feel that for this prayer project, at least, the personal connection is a necessary element. I hope that you can understand.

With that, I'll also say that if anyone else reading this has a genuine connection to Maui, I invite them to likewise propose a prayer on behalf of its denizens.