This time many more followed, and her eyes were fast becoming fountains, when all at once a verse she had heard the Sunday before at church seemed to come of itself into her head: "Call upon me in the time of trouble and I will answer thee." It must mean that she was to ask God to help her: was that the same as saying prayers?
But she wasn't good, and he wouldn't hear anybody that wasn't good.

Then, if he was only the God of the good people, what was to become of the rest when they were lost on mountains?
She had better try; it could not do much harm.

Even if he would not hear her, he would not surely be angry with her for calling upon him when she was in such trouble.

So thinking, she began to pray to what dim distorted reflection of God there was in her mind.

They alone pray to the real God, the maker of the heart that prays, who know his son Jesus.