"And they were exceedingly afraid, etc.": whereupon they "embraced the trade" (prayer) of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham — (Genesis 12:8) "… Beth-el on the west and Ai on the east, and he built there an altar to the L–rd, and he called in the name of the L–rd."
When the Israelites Saw the Egyptian Army Bearing Down on Them
Mekhilta Tractate Vayehi Beshalach 3:7