CANADA—The majority of members of the Philadelphia Church of God congregation in Manitoba met at St. Malo Provincial Park for their annual Church picnic on June 28.

On Sunday morning, the predicted weather patterns altered, and, according to the forecast, the chance of rain shifted from 80 percent to 40 percent from 10 a.m. onward, exactly when the picnic was scheduled to take place.

After an annual triathlon event finished, the park and beach ended up being much quieter than usual that day, making for what members said was a nice and somewhat private gathering.

“It was a good day for our picnic,” member Pierre Barre said. “The weather [forecast] certainly didn’t look great, which probably kept a lot of people away.”

Members shared a barbecue, beach volleyball and conversation, little children made sandcastles and played beside the water watched by one of the mothers and a grandmother, activities that were only possible because of the blessing of good weather.

In the week leading up to the picnic, the weather forecast indicated heavy rainfall for the weekend. However, the congregation received powerful reminders about the importance of prayer in the messages they heard on the Sabbath. Local Elder Ryan Friesen included the forecasted conditions during the upcoming picnic in the local announcements and said, “If we all beseech God to provide us good weather for the picnic, I’m sure He will.”

Evidently, God did perform a miracle. Members prayed for favorable weather, so that the congregational picnic would be successful and enjoyed by all. And God answered with beautiful weather, which included no rain, moderate temperatures, and even occasional sunshine throughout the whole day. Additionally, a nice breeze accompanied the picnic, which kept the mosquitos at bay.