Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the start of this new week, for the peace and rest of the weekend that has passed, and for the refreshment that has given us new strength. We thank you for the beauty of autumn, the colorful leaves, the fresh air, and the nourishing rains that refresh nature and bring new life. Please be with us in the days ahead; grant us strength, patience, and perseverance in our tasks, so that we may turn to one another with open hearts, hope, and love. May this week be peaceful, meaningful, and blessed for all of us. Amen.