Yes — believers should pray this because a Sabbath escape would be limited by Israel's law.
Jesus told those in Judea to pray that their flight would not be in winter or on the Sabbath (Matthew 24:20). Les Feldick explains that Israel will be back under the law, and that law limits how far a person may walk on the Sabbath. Since the escaping remnant must flee quickly and on foot, a Sabbath travel restriction would make the escape much harder.
Matthew 24:20 — Jesus directly commands this specific prayer about the Sabbath, making it the central verse for the question.
In Matthew 24, Jesus pointed to the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place and instructed those in Judea to flee to the mountains. He warned them not to come down from the housetop to gather possessions or return from the field for clothes. He then said woe to expectant mothers and nursing mothers, and told them to pray that the flight would not be in winter or on the Sabbath (Matthew 24:15-20). The passage itself does not explain why the Sabbath is singled out; it simply commands the prayer.
Les Feldick teaches that this verse proves Israel will be back under the law during the Tribulation. He explains that the Sabbath law, as practiced in Judaism, limits how far a person can walk — about half a mile (Clip 1) or up to a mile and a half (Clip 3). Because the Antichrist's defilement of the temple forces immediate escape, a Sabbath day would leave Jews unable to travel the necessary miles without breaking the law. Les says the flight will be on foot, likely to the southeast toward Petra, and will include older people, workers, expectant mothers, and nursing mothers. He also notes that Israel's Knesset has had a law before it to re-establish the Sabbath, showing the nation moving in that direction.
Les Feldick says Israel will be back under the law and, according to law, they were limited in how far they could walk on the Sabbath (Clip 2). He refers to a limit of about half a mile (Clip 1) and also mentions present-day Judaism's limit of about a mile to a mile and a half (Clip 3). He says the law of Jesus' day was not originally, he thinks, in the Mosaic law limiting walking distance as it does now. Since the temple will have been operating, the Jews will know this law and the distance they can walk without breaking it.
The escape includes a whole cross section of Jewish society. Les points to older retired people, working class people, young marrieds, expectant mothers, and nursing mothers with little ones. He says these groups will have to walk a long way, which is why the Sabbath restriction matters.
Jesus commanded those in Judea to flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:16). Les thinks the flight will be to the southeast of Jerusalem, probably to the area of Petra, though he says it is a possibility, not a certainty. He emphasizes the remnant will walk — not ride in convoys or helicopters — making the Sabbath walk limit especially significant.
Context for the Flight
Jesus tells those in Judea to flee to the mountains when the Antichrist defiles the temple, and the instruction applies to a broad cross-section of Jewish society.
Sabbath Limit Approximately Half a Mile
Les says a Sabbath law forbidding walking more than about half a mile would make escape impossible, so Jesus says to pray the flight is not on a Sabbath.
Under the Law: Limited Sabbath Travel
Les says Israel will be back under the law, and the law limits how far they can walk on the Sabbath, so a Sabbath escape would prevent them from getting away.
Sabbath Distance in Present Judaism
Les explains that present-day Judaism limits Sabbath walking to a mile or mile and a half, and that Jesus is referring to this kind of restriction.
Mothers and the Sabbath Prayer
Les highlights expectant and nursing mothers in the flight, and notes Israel's Knesset has considered reestablishing the Sabbath.
Foot Travel Necessitates Sabbath Prayer
Les says the escaping remnant will walk, not ride, which makes a Sabbath limit on walking distance a serious problem.
Cross-Section of Society Under the Law
Les says the escape includes the older retired, working class, and young mothers, all under the law's Sabbath restrictions.
Sabbath Law Awareness After Temple Worship
After the temple has operated for three and a half years, the Jews will be aware of the law's Sabbath walking limit, so they should pray the flight is not on that day.
Matthew 24:16: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
This is the command to flee, which makes the distance of travel a life-and-death matter.
Matthew 24:19: And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Pregnant and nursing mothers are part of the escaping group, which makes the difficulty of the journey greater.
Matthew 24:20: But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
This is the specific command to pray about the day of escape.
Yes. Les Feldick says the escaping remnant will walk, not ride in army trucks or helicopters. Because they must cover many miles, Jesus tells them to pray the flight does not fall on a Sabbath when walking distance would be limited.
Les says the law would limit them to about half a mile, and in another clip he references a mile to a mile and a half. Either limit would make a long escape difficult, which is why Jesus tells them to pray about the day.
At the time of the flight, Israel's temple will have been operating for the first three and a half years, so they will be aware of the Sabbath law. Les says the law limits how far they can walk, and that is why Jesus tells them to pray.
Watch the Teaching: When Will the Tribulation Begin? The 70th Week of Daniel