This is how I see prayer, and I think it's similar to what you were saying, Erin.
Our souls are like ham radios, and in a way, our Higher Self is the Antenna.
If we focus too much on what we put into the microphone, we never find out if anyone got the message.
If we focus too much on what we want to hear, no one will ever know that we're looking for them, and we still won't know if anyone is out there.
The first thing to do is simply to find your correct wavelength, and spend the quality time dialing in the exact setting you need for optimum quality of reception and transmission.
The next thing is to realize that you need to essentially give a clear message that can be answered in an affirmation or a decline, without inviting too many questions (there's only so much time before emotional static makes it impossible to understand what's being said).
Also, make sure you have your antenna in good upkeep, meaning that you continually reaffirm your connection to your Higher Self, so it can go and get the connections you need with more efficiency.
Lemme know what you think of the analogy, Erin, and if there are any extra bits you'd add to it!
~ David