Signs of the Times: OUT: Famous restaurants IN: new prayers

Reuters - The global recession manifests itself in big ways and small: most gloomy, some quirky and many reflecting the inventive human spirit. Here is a look at some signs of the times.

* The Church of England published two new prayers, comforting people who lost their jobs and those still in work after a round of cuts. "Hear me as I cry out in confusion, help me to think clearly, and calm my soul," says the "Prayer on being made redundant."

The "Prayer for those remaining in the workplace" focuses on guilt and increased workload: "In the midst of this uncertainty, help me to keep going: to work to the best of my ability, taking each day at a time."

* Dinner is off the menu at New York's famous Rainbow Room, which has decided to close its restaurant and lay off between 30 and 40 staff to cut costs. Tourists and locals can still get a cocktail at the 65th floor bar, which has views of the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty, but the adjacent Rainbow Grill will cease serving food. "We'll lose less money by keeping the bar open as opposed to the restaurant," said spokesman Ben Branham.

* Some Australians may be too strapped for cash to go to the pub, but many still find a way to get their beer. Makers of home brew kits say sales are booming. National brewer Coopers said sales of its kits were up 8 percent since July. Colin Richardson at the The Brew Shop in Sydney said demand for kits was outstripping supply. "All the brewing shops are seeing it," he said.