Stunning Fist, Failed Attack Rolls, and Monks

[Charlie Rock]

Due to some confusion as to what "failed attack roll ruins the attempt" actually means in the game can we get an answer to the question; "Does missing a Stunning Fist attempt use up that attempt or is it still available until an attack succeeds?"

The situation keeps popping up due to a Monk character in the game who missed an attack roll after declaring it was a Stunning Fist attack. The DM ruled that the attempt for the day was used up. The Monk player interpreted the rule differently.

[Talon Stormwarden]

Stunning Fist isn't a touch spell, so there is no reason to believe you can 'hold the charge'. Hence, when you use the ability and miss, the ability is wasted (for that use, you might have more uses left for the day due to level, etc).