And Pharaoh approached and the Jewish people lifted their eyes and behold Egypt was behind them and they were very frightened and the Jewish people called out to G-d.

In Midrash Tanchuma (Parshas Shoftim) R' Yehoshua ben Levi says a parable: A princess was going along a path and bandits attacked her. She called out to the King who said "This is what I have been waiting to hear." Similarly G-d took the Jewish people out of Egypt and wanted to hear their prayers. When they didn't pray he sent Pharaoh and his soldiers after them. Then the people began to call out to G-d.

The problem with the midrash is obvious: Why is it necessary to cause trouble to force the Jews to pray?

Rav Altusky (HIDUSHEI BASRA - MIDRASH TANCHUMA page 184) explains that G-d does not provide us with material belongings in order that we should feel good. We should understand that everything that is available to us has been provided only to help us serve G-d properly. In fact, it is difficult for us to obtain a high level of faith and reliance on G-d if life has been made too easy. It is possible (and even worthwhile!) that G-d has been making life difficult for us in order to cause an increased awareness of His power to protect His servants.

This idea might be new to us. We often think of our problems as a way of obtaining atonement for our sins. This might be the case, but it certainly is not the only possibility. Our problems can be used to help us see just how much we are dependent on our Creator for each breath and for every one of the many favors we receive daily. When we reach this realization, we are able to pray with increased awareness and thankfulness.

Rav Altusky adds that there are people who, in spite of their problems, manage to hold back from issuing even the slightest groan. From the above Midrash we learn that this is not necessarily the proper way of serving G-d. We are obligated to call out to G-d and plead that He should reduce our pain and save us from peril. A sincere prayer like that naturally leads to a strong faith that G-d is the one and only force in the universe in charge of our lives.