Best apps for observing Lent

We're a few days into the Lent 2012 season and what a better way to have an excuse to not give up your iPhone and iPad than collecting a few apps that help, encourage, motivate, and inspire you to give up something else during this time.

Here's a few apps we think think will do just that.

Magnificat Lenten Companion 2012

This universal iPhone and iPad app is designed to help you live all the graces of lent through daily prayer, liturgy, meditation and inspirational essays and poetry. The content is presented in a day-by-day format, similar to a devotional.

The layout of the app is very simple and strait-forward. However, I think the font size on the iPad is too big and there isn't a way to adjust it.

40 Days - Lent Observance Tracker

With Lent, comes commemorations, and 40 Days - Lent Observance Tracker offers a way to stay true to your vow to abstain from chocolate, candy, beer, and whatever else you decide. With each of your commitments, you assign a dollar value and every time you slip up and sneak that piece of chocolate, you must record it in 40 Days - Lent Observance Tracker with the idea that once Lent has passed, you donate your total to charity. This, of course, is not a requirement, but if you commit, it's a great way to stay motivated (or forgive yourself for those few times you do slip up since it ultimately benefits charity).

Days Without

If assigning dollar values to your commemorations isn't your thing, Days Without is an app that simply keeps track of how long it's been since you gave something up. It's not specifically designed for Lent, but still a great motivator nonetheless. Watching the number grow as the days pass will make you feel proud of your accomplishments.

Days Without allows you to track multiple goals and includes an automatic counter. The icon will display a badge that tells you how many days it's been for the selected goal.

Your favorite Lent app?

Have you run into any other apps that you've found useful during this lent season? Do you have a favorite Bible app? What are you giving up for lent? Share and encourage in the comments below!