You're absolutely right, Barry, it's an attack only if they do not take no for an answer. Here the nurse did take no for an answer.

So it's not an attack--except for tender psyches like that of our beloved "free-thinker" Torquemada who has just told us--yet again-- that the very act of offering a prayer is an attack.   And if he is in the position of being an ailing Mudcatter, and offered a prayer, he can certainly snarl: "Take your superstition and shove it" or whatever similarly subtle sentiment he feels appropriate at the time.   Of course he will still be in terribly grave danger that she may pray for him secretly once she leaves him.   And I fervently hope that doesn't cause him more than a few years of lost sleep.