
author
1516–1590
Best known for a prayer book that shaped Lutheran devotion for centuries, this 16th-century German pastor wrote in a way that was practical, heartfelt, and easy to carry into daily life. He also played a visible role in the church life of Reformation-era Germany.

by Johann Habermann
Born in 1516 in Bavaria, he became a Lutheran theologian and pastor during the turbulent years of the Reformation. He is often remembered by the Latinized form of his name, Johannes Avenarius.
His lasting reputation comes mainly from his prayer book, a collection of prayers arranged for different times, needs, and parts of Christian life. The book became widely used in Lutheran circles and remained influential long after his death because of its clear, devotional style.
He died in 1590, but his work continued to circulate in later editions and translations. For many readers, he stands out as a writer who helped bring theology into ordinary daily practice through prayer.