how do you know when God is answering prayer as opposed to it being just coincidence?? I would like to be/feel more secure and know when a prayer is likely to be or will be answered. For instance, I prayed for confirmation of a scripture I read but it didn't happen - does this mean that my request was wrong?.
Not necessarily. Sometimes we have to press through persistently. Some prayers take years - indeed, generations - to be answered because things aren't in place yet.
So we have to go deeper if we're going to reach conclusions we can rely on. I would say first test what you want by the Word. If it violates the written Word it is not of God. Then put it to the test of peace. Can you reach a place of peace on it, in which you can abide and grow in certainty? (James 3.17-18; Mk 11.22-ff) Give it time, with patience but not complacency. All this presupposes a yieldedness to do God's will as He makes that will clear. When we are willing to do His will, He will show us (John 7.17).
God is good and His intention toward you is lovingkindness. So reject anything that speaks of harshness toward you (Heb 11.6). Stand on His word in this regard, and you will wage winning war against the "vain imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God" (2Cor 10).
And also I'm likely to have to search for a job very soon, but haven't got much of an idea what to apply for (I'm starting over in my forties) so am not sure how God would speak to me about guidance?
Plus I may have the option of moving area, but I really need help again to know what God is saying, or to know if indeed He will direct me on this?
Sometimes we need to just put one foot in front of the other. On Paul's second missionary journey he thought he would revisit the churches he planted and encourage them. But soon after, the Holy Spirit would not allow it. That must have been a bit perplexing, but the answer came in a vision: Take a hard left turn and head for Europe. As a result, an entire continent was opened to the Gospel. Paul's original intention was good, but not God's best. But had he just sat around he never would have been available for that blessing. So maybe you should commit this to prayer and then do what you think makes sense, but always remaining open for further instructions. Remember, God's wish is to have abiding communication with you. He will work everything toward that end. So just keep believing and hold on to Him.
I find it rather paralysing not knowing how to hear from God on specific decisions and issues. I rarely hear scriptures.
I know about walking the flatlands. It seems like nothing is changing and a whole lot of time is passing. But the truth is you are making vital headway. You can't climb the mountain until you've crossed the plain. So don't allow yourself to become discouraged. Rebuke it and keep trusting. It will be a protection to you, as you position yourself for the blessing God wants to give you.
It could also mean that God is ready to fight for you against the spiritual enemies that are attacking your soul... IDK for sure, but the context was God promising to fight against those who were oppressing His people Israel (see 3:13).
This is
exactly the feeling I got when I originally was led to this passage. It is a picture of God preparing for battle against your spiritual enemies, Koshka, the archetypal things that have kept you enslaved. He is fixing to set you gloriously free. You need not fear Him or the battle. Only love and trust Him and your eyes will see His deliverance.