"...the fact of people praying for me, and the profound effect that that knowledge had on me, that convinced me of that power

You just made my point for me...you believed in its power."

Well actually, I didn't Kat! The point I was making (obviously not very well) was that I didn't believe in its power before my illness, and that its effect on me and the way I felt was utterly unexpected, and profound. My decision to become a Christian was made some time later, and was strongly influenced by the unexpected effect that these people's prayers had on my well being. I wasn't a Christian and I didn't believe in the power of prayer until that power was visited on me.

Had I not felt that effect, I certainly would not in any way have been offended, alarmed, stressed or otherwise pissed-off by those who prayed for me, rather the opposite. I would have taken it as an indication of their goodwill, and thanked them for it.

I don't dispute that the nurse in this case broke a rule, I do believe though that it's a shitty rule. A shitty rule invoked by the PC-Loony Brigade, as usual.