Blessed Margaret Family Help Center, Inc.
The Nothingness Itself Prayer was created as a daily prayer for those combatting their sinful addictions as both an Act of Humility and an Act of Hope. As Venerable Antonio Margil de Jesus is one of the patrons of The Hook and I and he referred to himself as "Nothingness Itself" or, in Spanish, "La Misma Nada", I hope this prayer invokes something of his spirit of humility. Humility being the most important virtue that the addict needs to inculcate in his soul in order to draw down the graces necessary to cut the line to his addiction. Therefore, this prayer is part of Step 11A, which states, "I will strengthen my sanctity by regular and fervent prayer. I will especially develop a great love for the Rosary and the Blessed Virgin. I will develop my own list of personal patron saints and I will pray to them regularly." In Step 11A, of the Catholic 12-Steps, the addict says the Morning Offering, the Rosary, and this prayer, the Nothingness Itself Prayer.
O God, * I, who am nothingness itself,* come before Thee,* confessing that I am powerless against my sinful habit,* my addiction,* my hook* that Satan has used to pull me from the waters of Thy grace * and to make me his slave.* I am enchained and prostrate at his feet without so much as the strength to break these bonds * let alone to rise and return to Thee.* I admit before Thee and all the Heavenly Court * that I am in this wretched state through my own fault * and that even with the best of my own efforts* I am powerless in this struggle.* I am beaten,* I am defeated,* and I am damned.* In my anguish I cry out to Thee, “Help, Lord, I perish”.*
But Thou, O Lord, * art my hope. * Most beloved Jesus,* Thou alone canst send the rain of Thy grace* to melt my hook,* my chains,* and my shackles,* freeing me from this terrible bondage.* In my nothingness,* I am totally dependent upon Thee and Thy good favor.* O merciful Redeemer,* I beseech Thee,* despise not this contrite and humbled heart,* but unleash the storm clouds of grace,* through Thy Most Holy Mother,* that I may be victorious in this mortal combat within me.* O Mary,* my Queen and my Mother,* pray to Jesus for me!* Amen.