Images of God and Prayer

My assumptions about prayer were unexamined for a long time but when I started exploring my beliefs I was surprised with the images that came.
For a very, very long time I imagined that prayer was about 'getting God's attention.' I imagined that I was like a small child tugging at the apron-strings of my mother as she stood at the kitchen sink. Prayer was my effort to attract God's focus on me and my concerns, even concerns for other people and world situations. Prayer was my yelling 'Help!' in hopes of getting a very busy God's attention.

At some point in my spiritual journey I realized that prayer is more about getting my attention! In the great Mystery that is God, God is always present, always available, never distracted. As a human being I am the one who 'sleepwalks' and loses focus.

In the former child/mother image of prayer God is also distant, far away.

I have discovered several Scripture passages that remind me of the new way of imagining prayer. Deuteronomy 30:14 says 'the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.' Acts 17:27-28 says 'so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him---though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'in him we live and move and have our being.'
Romans 8:26 says 'Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.'

In prayer now I become still and quiet and open my heart and mind to God. I remember people and situations in that focused presence. I become attentive to the presence of God that is always available.

Of course there are still times when in my suffering or pain I cry out to God for help, for courage, for strength. If I am able to be still and quiet after that crying out I become aware of the mysterious love of God that is as close as my very breath.

What is your image of the God to whom you pray? What is the purpose of your prayer?