We do not read in Exodus 2:23 that the Israelites pray and cry out to God. Later in Exodus 4:31 it is said that they believed. But that was after God’s message through Moses and the signs he did before the eyes of the people. They quickly lost their faith again after that (Exodus 6:9).
However, the people’s cry went up to God (Exodus 2:24), just like God heard the loud wailing of the Egyptians after their firstborns were killed (Exodus 12:29). But the latter was commanded by the Lord himself (Exodus 11:6). He has his reasons (Exodus 2:24–25) to help the Israelites and not the Egyptians.
23 Longtemps après, le roi d'Egypte mourut, et les enfants d'Israël gémissaient encore sous la servitude, et poussaient des cris. Ces cris, que leur arrachait la servitude, montèrent jusqu'à Dieu.