Perhaps the Gemara is not literally describing Calev's words of prayer. Rather, it is expressing the great merit of the Avos, and the efficacy of that merit in assisting Calev's prayer. It is as if Calev had directly addressed the Avos and requested their intervention - that is how powerful their merit contributes to the prayers of their descendants.
Is such a deviation from the Gemara's literal description appropriate? Are we permitted to understand the Gemara as dramatizing the merit of the Avos rather than describing a historical account?
Sure you can. I think it would be a lot cleaner to just interpret avodah in the Rambam as he did elsewhere than to twist the gemara's words to say that. Not saying you can't, just seems more elegant to me.
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